M.D., Raymond F. Holden Jr.

Holden, Jr., M.D., Raymond F., 98, beloved father and grandfather, died Thursday, April 3, 2008. Memorial service 1:00 P.M., Thursday, April 10, Plymouth Congregational Church. Dr. Holden was born February 2, 1910, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Raymond F. Fern Reynolds Holden. He grew up in the community of Ferguson, MO (St. Louis County). He was the eldest child, having three siblings, Edward R. Holden, Ruth E. Holden and Dr. Robert B. Holden, all now deceased. Dr. Holden attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO, and Washington University in St. Louis, receiving both a B. S. degree and M.D. degree from Washington University in 1933. He interned at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, 1932 ~ 1935, and was awarded a position as a resident research assistant in physiology at the Rockefeller Institute, New York, NY, 1935 ~ 1936. He was a clinical instructor at the Washington University School of Medicine, 1941 ~ 1956. Dr. Holden was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine as a specialist in internal medicine. He held membership in the American College of Physicians; American Geriatric Society; Central Society for Clinical Research; the Harvey Society, NY; Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society; and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. In 1936 he married Gertrude E. Kies of Jackson, MO. They met at Barnes Hospital, where she was a registered nurse. Dr. Holden began private practice in St. Louis, where he and his wife reared their family of three children. During World War II, Dr. Holden served as chief flight surgeon in the U.S. Army Air Force, an experience that prompted his interest in industrial medicine. He published several papers on research in hearing loss caused by jet engine noise. After the war, he became Medical Director of Mallinckrodt Chemical Works in St. Louis. In 1956 the family moved to Wichita, KS, where Dr. Holden became the Medical Director at the Boeing Airplane Co. He established a private medical practice in Wichita in 1958, from which he retired in 1975. While in private practice he served on the staff of Wesley Hospital., St. Francis Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital. He and his wife were active members of Plymouth Congregational Church and were involved citizens of the Wichita community. Preceded in death by his wife of 64 years in 2001, he is survived by his children, J. Philip Holden (Linda) of Bellevue, Michigan, Rebecca Holden Deckard (David) of Wichita and Raymond F. Holden, III (Susie) of Grove, Oklahoma; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was admired and respected by all who knew him. Memorials have been established with Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N. Clifton, Wichita, KS, 67208 and Larksfield Place, 2828 N. Governeour, Wichita, KS, 67226. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.