Ralph Willard

Submitted By jev0010 on Tue, 08/30/2011 - 12:00am
Ralph L. Willard, dean and president of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1975-1985, died Jan. 30. Willard was appointed dean of TCOM, which would evolve into the UNT Health Science Center, when the private medical school received full state support and was placed under the direction of the North Texas regents and president. In 1981, he became the second president of the college. During his tenure, three major buildings were constructed as the medical school grew into a modern campus in the Fort Worth Cultural District. He received the college’s Founder’s Medal in 1985.Willard, his parents, his son and his sister all were osteopathic physicians. He attended Cornell College and received degrees from Coe College and the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was chief surgeon and chief of staff at Davenport Osteopathic Hospital in Iowa before becoming the dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and later was associate dean at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.He served as a bomber pilot in World War II and the Korean War, and was commander of the 20th Medical Service Squadron at Fort Worth’s Carswell Air Force Base. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Dennis Willard (’58 M.Ed.).

Ralph L. Willard, dean and president of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1975-1985, died Jan. 30. Willard was appointed dean of TCOM, which would evolve into the UNT Health Science Center, when the private medical school received full state support and was placed under the direction of the North Texas regents and president. In 1981, he became the second president of the college. During his tenure, three major buildings were constructed as the medical school grew into a modern campus in the Fort Worth Cultural District. He received the college’s Founder’s Medal in 1985.Willard, his parents, his son and his sister all were osteopathic physicians. He attended Cornell College and received degrees from Coe College and the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was chief surgeon and chief of staff at Davenport Osteopathic Hospital in Iowa before becoming the dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and later was associate dean at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.He served as a bomber pilot in World War II and the Korean War, and was commander of the 20th Medical Service Squadron at Fort Worth’s Carswell Air Force Base. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Dennis Willard (’58 M.Ed.).

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