Kenneth G. Holcombe, DDS

 Kenneth G. Holcombe, DDS April 22,1922 ~ January 16, 2011 Resident of Walnut Creek Kenneth Grant Holcombe, DDS, passed away unexpectedly at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek, following a short illness. A California native. Ken was born in Oakland to Jerry Victor Holcombe, DDS, and his wife, Ardene Marie Estabrook. In 1937 when Ken was 15 years old, he and his parents moved from Oakland to Orinda. At that time, there were no high schools in the Lamorinda area. Ken and his father made the daily commute over Fish Ranch Road to Oakland High School until his January 1940 graduation. He was a member of the high school's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. Ken attended the University of California, Berkeley for three semesters; after which time, he sought a West Point appointment. Working toward that goal, he joined the army under a special provision allowing him to attend the West Point Preparatory School at San Francisco's Presidio. After several months, he left prep school and became a cadet at the Merchant Marine Training Facility, Treasure Island. November 22,1941, he left Treasure Island on the training ship, USAT General Holbrook, sailing to the Philippine Islands. The ship docked at Pearl Harbor on November 27, 1941 just days before the Japanese attack. Once back in San Francisco, Ken qualified for the Merchant Marine Academy, at Kings Point, New York. When he graduated, February 1943, he had a 3rd mate's certificate and was commissioned as an Ensign. His orders placed him on the troop ship, USS Belatrix as a landing craft officer. The ship was part of the convoy carrying General George Patton's troops to Sicily. That same year, the Belatrix served in the Philippine Islands at Tarawa. January 1944, Ken was admitted to the Navy's Submarine School at New London, Connecticut. He graduated, March 1944, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant, JG, in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. From then until he was discharged from the Navy, he served on the submarine, USS Gar. The Gar, based at Brisbane, Australia, saw action in the South Pacific. During one mission, Ken received notification of his appointment to West Point. Unable to leave his boat and make connections to the United States, he was forced to decline. October 1944, the Gar was docked in Brisbane, Australia for repairs. During that time, Ken met U.S. Navy Ens. Virginia Ruth Harvey. They were married three months later, January 20, 1945, at the Submariners' Chapel, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After his Navy discharge, Ken attended Saint Mary's College, then the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now the University of the Pacific Dental School), San Francisco. He graduated from dental school, June 1951. For four years, he was an associate in his father's Oakland dental practice before opening his own office in Lafayette. He practiced dentistry in Lafayette for 33 years. During that time, he was a member of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club and Chapter President for several years. He was involved in dental politics at the local and state levels. He served as President of the Contra Costa County Dental Society, as well as Chairman of the California Dental Association's Council on Dental Care. In 1976, he was made a Fellow of the American College of Dentistry. He was an early proponent of dental insurance, and served as the Board President for California Dental Service (now Delta Dental of California), 1977-1978. Once asked what he wanted people to know about his long career in dentistry, Ken replied with typical self-deprecating humor: "Just tell them I was an 'amalgam-plugger' from Lafayette!" A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Ken is survived by Virginia, his wife of 66 years; and his four children: Jerry Holcombe (Sally), David Holcombe (Nicole), Holly Holcombe, and Wendy Feldman (Lance). Also surviving Ken are his nine grandchildren: Darryl Holcombe (fiancee Kristina McCosker), Deborah Kastner (Keith), Renaud Holcombe, Tanguy Holcombe, Joffroi Holcombe (Andrea), Thibault Holcombe (Emilyann), Maxwell Feldman, Avi Feldman, Rachel Feldman; and his two great-granddaughters, Ashley Menasco and Tyler Kastner. A celebration of Ken's life will take place on Thursday, January 20, 2011, 3:00 PM, at Hull's Chapel (1139 Saranap Avenue, Walnut Creek). A reception will follow at a location to be announced. The Committal Ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 21, 2011, 11:00 AM, at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the "Jeremiah and Kenneth Grant Holcombe Pre-Dental Scholarship at Louisiana State University at Alexandria," or the "Virginia Harvey Holcombe Nursing Scholarship at Louisiana State University at Alexandria;" c/o LSUA Foundation, P.O. Box 100, Lecompte, LA 71325.

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