Dr. Ralph Howard Leonard

Dr. Ralph Howard Leonard, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, mentor, colleague and friend passed away on February 23, 2026, at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, NC.

Ralph was born on September 8, 1953 in Siler City, NC and was raised in the Quaker faith in the small community of Bonlee. He graduated from Chatham Central High School in 1971, where he had played football and served as Student Body President. Ralph went on to receive his BS degree in Biology at Appalachian State University and returned to Chatham Central to teach for two years. In 1977 he went back to ASU and earned a Master’s degree in Biology, and in 1978 married his college sweetheart, Mary Gray Melton. The couple moved to Asheville, NC, where Ralph taught biology to nursing and dental assisting students at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute for three years. In 1981, after the birth of their son, Brooks, Ralph made the decision that would shape the rest of his life—to attend Dental School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dental School was challenging but proved to be the perfect choice. Ralph and Mary Gray made many lifelong friends while Ralph was a student and welcomed their daughter, Laura, in 1984. Ralph received his DDS degree in 1985 and stayed on at the Dental School for a two-year appointment. He then worked in private practice in Siler City for two years. Dr. Leonard began as full-time faculty at the School of Dentistry in 1989 where he taught students in the DDS, graduate and allied health programs, treated patients and conducted research on tooth whitening and dental unit waterline safety. While working, he also earned a Master’s degree in Public Health in 1994. He lectured extensively across the country on continuing dental education topics, including tooth whitening, public health and infection control. In 1998 he became the Director of the Dental Faculty Practice at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2017. Then, unable to give up his passion for the profession and the people, Dr. Leonard returned to work part time and soon became the interim director of the Dental Faculty Practice, continuing in that role until his death.

Throughout his career, Dr. Leonard accrued many recognitions and honors including numerous awards from staff, students and professional organizations. He won the Dental Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award and held the Jim and Isabel Harrell Distinguished Professorship in Family Dentistry. Dr. Leonard was a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Society and the North Carolina Dental Society and was a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, the Academy of Dentistry International and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Ralph was a beloved member of the UNC Adams School of Dentistry family for 40 years and made an immeasurable impact on those who knew and were cared for by him.

Ralph was universally known for his kindness and generosity, his humor and his great smile. He made cherished friendships at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill where he served for many years as a Head Usher and, most recently, on the Board of Trustees. He enjoyed woodworking, photography and gardening, giving away so many vegetables that he said people ran in the opposite direction when they saw him coming. But above all he enjoyed being with his family, whom he loved so dearly. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Sr. and Betty Stone Leonard, his sister, Janet Leonard Walters and his brother-in-law Victor Cardello. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues, and especially by his family who include his wife of 47 years, Mary Gray Leonard; son Brooks Leonard and his wife, Jean; daughter Laura Leonard Clark and her husband, Mike; six grandchildren: Henry and Charles Leonard and Olivia, Mary, Alex and Magnolia Clark; two nieces, Michelle Evans (husband Matt, children Nova and Keller) and Nichole Conrad (husband Josh, children Shakel and Titus); and his brother-in-law Robert Melton.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be sent to one of the following:

· The University United Methodist Church Building and Facility Fund. Gifts may be mailed to 150 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or made online at universityumc.church (please indicate “In Memory of Ralph H. Leonard, Jr.”); or

· The Dental Foundation of North Carolina at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry in support of the Dr. Ralph H. Leonard, Jr. Scholarship. Gifts may be mailed to the address below or made online at go.unc.edu/DFNC (please indicate “In Memory of Dr. Ralph H. Leonard, Jr.”).

Dental Foundation of NC Attn: Sarah Huppert 1090 First Dental Building Chapel Hill, NC 27599