Bert Wellington Holmes

1939 - 2018

Bert Wellington Holmes

Virginia Beach - BERT WELLINGTON HOLMES, JR., M.D.

Dr. Bert Holmes passed away at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on March 20, 2018. He was born August 9, 1939, in the Berkley Section of Norfolk, Virginia, to Ruth Hicks Holmes and the late Bert Wellington Holmes, Sr. Dr. Holmes graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia State College (University) in Petersburg (B.S. and M.S.), Howard University College of Medicine (M.D.), and the U.S. Flight School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. After graduating from medical school, he completed his urology residency at Howard University Hospital. Having established his private medical practice in Norfolk, he was a urologic surgeon and attending physician at Norfolk Community Hospital, Chesapeake General Hospital, and served as the Deputy Chief of Urology at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Norfolk.

He also had an extensive career in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Virginia Army National Guard. He served on the Virginia War Memorial Board for more than a decade, with the most recent appointment in 2014 by Governor Terry McAuliffe. In 2000, Virginia Governor James Gilmore appointed him to the position of The Assistant Adjutant General for the State of Virginia and promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General in the Virginia National Guard. With this appointment, he became the first African-American appointed to this position, retiring in 2005.

Following this retirement, Dr. Holmes accepted a position as Director of the Hampton University Health Center and later became the first Executive Director of the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute. After leaving this position, he continued as the physician liaison for the HUPTI. Over the course of his career, he received numerous civilian and military commendations, and awards of distinction.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of fifty-three years, Naomi Manigault Holmes, and their three children: Christal Holmes Stinson (Christopher Stinson) of Chicago, IL; Marissa Holmes Rivero (Juan M. Rivero, Jr. ) of Virginia Beach, VA; and Bert Wellington Holmes III, M.D. (Michelle Latham Holmes, M.D.) of Norfolk, VA. He also leaves five grandchildren: Mariah Christa Rivero, Gabrielle Grace Rivero, Evan Christopher Stinson, Brandon Homer Stinson, and Baby Ellis Christina Naomi Holmes; his mother, Ruth Hicks Holmes; his sister, Muriel Holmes Chasten, Ph.D. (William Chasten), and his uncle, Lankford Hicks (Althea Hicks). Bert will be dearly remembered by many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives, friends, and colleagues.

A memorial celebration will be held at the Hampton University Memorial Chapel on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Visitation at 2:00 p.m. and the memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Should you desire, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, 40 Enterprise Parkway, Hampton, VA 23666; Howard University Medical Alumni Association, Attn: Sal Messina, 1400 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036; Virginia State University, Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 9027, Virginia State University, VA 23806. Arrangements Entrusted to Metropolitan Funeral Service, 7246 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505

www.metropolitanfuneralservice.com

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