D Vertrees Hollingsworth died on February 14, 2012, at age 74. He lived a fortunate life, doing things for which he was reasonably prepared and appreciated, thereby gaining a wonderful family, a happy and adventuresome life and genuine pleasure in every day granted him.
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 425 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Southern Pines NC 28387 Locally 910-692-6262 Toll-Free 1-800-972-7340 | D Vertrees Hollingsworth
He grew up on a Kentucky horse farm near Lexington during World War II and learned the value of hard work and how to ride thoroughbreds. He was the last of five children of a playwright and an engineer and so learned early on to love both sciences and the arts. He was graduated from Yale University with a degree in American Studies, from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine as a Doctor of Medicine and completed an Internship at Receiving Hospital in Detroit, MI. During that era he met and married the love of his life, Alice Elizabeth Broadbent, with whom he begat four delightful children. Dr. Hollingsworth served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant in the Medical Corps for two years in the Vietnam era, followed by a resignation of his Reserve commission and an entry into the private practice of Family Medicine on the same day Medicare took effect: 1 Aug 66. After 14 years of care for rural patients (“the skin and its contents”), he took his wife and three of his children off to serve his county (to Teach, to Travel, and to have some Time Off) as a Naval Officer – first teaching young physician graduates the specialty of Family Medicine, then medical students at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for nine years. Dr. Hollingsworth was graduated from the Naval War College and Salve Regina University with a Master’s degree in Management and went on to serve as Commanding Officer at three Naval medical treatment facilities. In 1998, he and his wife retired to Pinehurst, NC, where he spent seven years as a family physician at Fort Bragg and as an emergency physician in Laurinburg, NC. He was active in his church, Brownson Memorial Presbyterian in Southern Pines, NC, and joined his musical wife in several community chorus efforts in every community in which they lived. He was an amateur actor in numerous productions for more than 60 years. He was predeceased by the sad loss of a beloved granddaughter (10 year-old Liza Hollingsworth) but is survived by his wife of 51 years, Alice B. Hollingsworth, and by four children: Eben L. Hollingsworth and family of Georgetown, KY, Sophia G. Hollingsworth of Charlotte, NC, Dunn D. Hollingsworth and family of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and E. Piel Hollingsworth and family of Milton, MA. At his death he had five grandchildren: Eleanor, Caroline and Jordan Hollingsworth as well as Maxwell and Lucy Hollingsworth-Hays. “You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough” A memorial service will be held at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Southern Pines, NC, on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11am with reception to follow. There will be a gathering in honor of Dr. Hollingsworth’s life in Georgetown, KY, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Plowshares Institute, PO Box 243 or 809 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070. Leave a Note of Remembrance |
Boles Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. | 425 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Southern Pines, NC 28387 | 910-692-6262 |
February 15th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Alice & Hollingsworth Clan:
Please know our hearts are heavy in Texas and we send you our deepest sympathies at the loss of Father & Grandfather Hollingsworth. A great spirit and one who will be greatly missed.
Much love to you all Neel and Allison Hays Lane and Shelby Anna and Andrew
February 15th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Alice,
My deepest sympathy and my special love to you and your family.
Grace
February 15th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Alice and family,
Our deepest sympathies are with you. Vertrees was a special person of enormous talent, intellect, and drive. He was an enormous credit to his nation, the U.S.Navy, the specialty of family practice, and a role model of citizenship and family values. We will greatly miss him.
David and Teri
February 16th, 2012 at 8:20 am
He was one of a kind. I worked under him one summer at the old Georgetown hospital as an orderly when I was a college student. He planted some early seeds with me about life and our political system as it related to health care in the early 70′s. Yep, he was ahead of everyone else with some of his thoughts. I was able to talk to him by phone a few months ago and we had an excellent exchange. He had not changed. I cherish the fact that I was lucky enough to have encountered him as a part of my life.
February 16th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
He was my family doctor at St. Luke’s Place in Georgetown. He was a great addition to that staff of doctors and was well respected and loved by all. The world is a much smaller place without him.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
February 16th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
A brilliant man who supported new programs in the English Speaking Union and was a loyal member of our Phi Gamma Delta Golf Capitol Alumni Chapter. He and his engergetic, outgoing personality will be missed.
….Jim Dawson, Pinehurst
February 17th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
i was 1 of Dr Hollingsworth patients in Georgetown and i remember his smile and good humor when he was dealing with us moms to be /he always gave advise he wife taught him on taking care of babies issues/My 2nd child was born with spina biffida Dr Hollingsworth was so kind and set up for stephanie to be moved to lexington to get the best care and he taken care of her and our family for all the years he was in Georgetown Ky . We missed him so much when he left but we knew he was going to do good for others and teach good Dr.s to go out in the family pratice / he was the best am glad to her he and his family lived life to the fullest . The world lost a good man but the lord gained a good man.
February 17th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
our thoughts are with his family and friends.
February 17th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
I feel your pain. Please convey my deepest sympathy to all members of your family. It was my pleasure to be involved in Note-A-Belles and the Choral Society with you. May your wonderful husband rest in peace and may his loving spirit surround you. Jo Ann
February 17th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
My thoughts are with you as you mourn your loss and celebrate Vertree’s remarkable life. I am sorry that I cannot be with you in person.
Vertree was a kind and honorable man. His loyalty to his family, as well as to his colleagues was remarkable. I don’t think I ever heard him say an unkind word about anyone. His life disproves the saying: “nice guys finish last”.
Vertree enriched our lives. He was a good man. We miss him.
Please accept my heart-felt condolences.
February 17th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Dr. Hollingsworth was our family doctor in Georgetown many years ago. He delivered our two sons and was such a wonderful doctor. I am sure all of his patients remember him as a kind, considerate, and very good doctor giving his all to each and every patient. We will keep all of the family in our prayers. Sincerely, the Burge family.
February 18th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Dear Alice and family,
The picture of Vertress is just how I remember him from U-High days. Full of fun and laughter, bright, interested in many subjects, and had many talents. I am so glad our u-high reunions gave our class times to keep in touch.
Joe and I are thinking of you.
Joe and Laura Weinman Gilliam
February 18th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Alice:
My deepest sympathy and my love to you
and the rest of your family. Sorry I
could not make the service today.
Gene
February 18th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
I cannot begin to tell you how sorry we are for this loss. What memories we have of Vertrees, such wonderful memories and so much gratitude for his care. We have thought of both of you so many times over the years. Many prayers of comfort and thanksgiving are sent your way.
Petie and Jim
February 18th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Alice, Eben and all Hollingsworths,
I only met Vertrees once but was impressed with his humor. I felt like I had known him more than I did from all the funny stories that sifted down through our family from Millie and Tom. He will be greatly missed but his life is exemplary of the quote: “You only have one chance at life, but if you do it right once is enough!” May your happy memories of him sustain you all in your grief. Pat
February 20th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Dr. Hollingsworth was my favorite doctor in Georgetown at St. Lukes Place. He was the best and I always missed him after he left – I remember him laughing at/with me when I got the measles after getting vacinated and the chicken pox as well. Never the same after he left.
February 20th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Allice and family, we have such fond memories of our fun times together in Newport & San Diego. The ice cream sundae parties for neighbors & staff in Newport and the Kentucky Derby parties in both Newport & San Diego. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Alice, I am deeply saddened to hear of Vertrees’ passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I have such fond memories of our work together through STC and also the ESU. Please take care of yourself and let me know if there is anything that I can do. Best, Michael
February 21st, 2012 at 9:13 pm
My deepest sympathies, Alice, to you and your family. Vertrees delivered both of my children and cared for me through some trying times in my life. I was listening to a tape of you singing in church when my first son was born, Alice. I feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with this extraordinary man.
Blessings on all of you.
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Vertrees was a gift to all who knew him. He brightened and energized a room with his presence. From our days in high school until the end, he was the same guy, brilliant, fun and a class act if there ever was one.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
March 1st, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Dear Hollingsworths: The Pryor family wishes you well. I coach baseball, and I can remember playing with Eben (on the Braves)and Dr. Hollingsworth applying a cast to my leg after a much-too-hard slide snapped it. I have fond memories of those times. I hope and trust you will long recall fond memories of Dr. Hollingsworth. Virgil Pryor II