Richard P. Holcombe

Richard Plum Holcombe, age 92, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 5:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice near Defiance, Ohio, after an extended illness. Born on July 5, 1922, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Allen L. and Georgia (Wilcox) Holcombe, he was the youngest of four boys. He spent his early life in Grand Junction, moved to California in 1938, graduating from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles in 1940. For a short time he worked in banking and then went to work for Calship in Wilmington, California, building “Liberty” cargo ships. Following his employment at Calship, he enlisted in the Army in 1942 for the duration plus six months and was honorably discharged in February of 1946. Richard began his college career enrolling in Los Angeles City College and then transferring to the University of Southern California, where he graduated cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering. As a Registered Professional Engineer, he began working for Interstate Engineering in El Segundo, California, and then for the Hunter Douglas Aluminum Corporation for many years, leaving in 1973 to join Bryan Metals as Vice President and General Manager, retiring in 1982. His memberships included the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, life membership in Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society and locally was a member of the Bryan Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1064. Richard married Ruby (Blakslee) Cogan on December 31, 1953, in San Diego, California, and she preceded him in death in 2002. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Ann Cogan, of Bryan, and Judith Lynn (Randy) Robinett, of Paulding, Ohio; a grandson, Jason; three granddaughters, Lindsay, Danial and Morgan; three great-grandsons; three great-granddaughters; three nephews; five nieces; and a number of cousins. He was also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Allen Wilcox Holcombe, William Warner Holcombe and Charles Edward Holcombe. In keeping with Richard’s wishes, there will be no visitation or services and interment will be private. Memorials are requested to Community Health Professionals Hospice, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society or the National Reyes Syndrome Foundation.