Hollingsworth, having coped with Alzheimer’s for 16 years, of Atlanta, formerly of Shelby, died Thursday surrounded by his family.
Upon returning from service as a WW II Naval aviator piloting submarine hunters while serving in England and French Morocco, he earned his undergraduate degree at Millsaps College in Jackson. Dr. Bob, as he was affectionately known, attended both University of Mississippi and University of Tennessee Medical Schools and was awarded his medical degree and license to practice in 1950.
“I hated to hear about (Dr. Hollingsworth’s passing),” said Dr. James E. Warrington. “He was a fine man and doctor.
“I practiced with him from ‘64-’72 — eight years — and I’ve never known a more dedicated and hardworking doctor,” said Warrington. “He cared for his patients 24 hours a day, which wasn’t to unusual for him. We had the clinic open 24-7, seven days a week.
“He delivered many babies and conducted several surgeries,” he said. “He took care of his patients and took care of whatever they needed. He was very knowledgeable and very dedicated to the practice of medicine.
“I really hate to hear about this,” said Warrington. “I will miss him. He taught me a lot.
“I was a young doctor when we worked together,” he said. “He taught me a lot about dedication. He was a fine Christian man. Because we know he was a Christian, we know he’s in heaven.”
Dr. Bob and his new bride, Kathryn, took leave of post-graduate surgical training in 1953 to answer the call from Shelby. He began in July 1953 as Shelby’s only physician.
As a team, Dr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth reopened the small community hospital and worked side-by-side keeping the office open until 1980.
“Dr. Hollingsworth was like a father figure to me,” said Preston Billings, long-time resident of Shelby. “My family and I hold Dr. Hollingsworth in very high regards.
“He was very dedicated to service and was a true servant,” said Billings. “He devoted a large portion of his life to the welfare of others and the advancement of this community (Shelby) and the surrounding communities.
“Peace be with Dr. Hollingsworth,” he said.
For over 50 years, Hollingsworth practiced his one-in-the-same love and hobby hand-in-hand with his wife who is a registered nurse and was his constant professional companion. Together they tirelessly cared for thousands and delivered over 5,000 babies.
“He was just the best doctor and friend anybody could have,” said Jane Letchworth. “He never let people’s inability to pay stand in the way of them receiving care.
“He loved to practice medicine and did so unselfishly,” said Letchworth. “If your child was sick, you could call him in the middle of the night and he would meet you at the clinic.
“He delivered all three of my children and took care of our entire family,” she said. “He was a community leader. He was on the board of aldermen for years.
“We named the city’s library in honor of him when he retired,” said Letchworth. “He was a fine man.”
In 1964, having been denied visas to work with Dr. G.S. Seagrave, author of “Burma Surgeon in present-day Myanmar,” the couple gave six months of their time and talents to Albert Schweitzer Memorial Hospital in Haiti.
“I didn’t know Dr. Hollingsworth personally,” said Anne Giger, director of donor relations for Delta State University Foundation. “I have, however, talked with many people in the past hours and have listened to some very heart warming stories about Dr. Hollingsworth.
“From what I’ve heard, he was more than just a physician to his patients,” said Giger. “He was their friend. He would make house calls and went above and beyond the call of duty.
“He had a very strong compassion for people and he truly loved his patients,” she said. “Dr. Hollingsworth’s legacy will live on.
“He and his wife have a scholarship in their names,” said Giger. “Through that scholarship, his passion for service will be past on to the scholars of that scholarship. He was known as a person that inspired so many.”
The Dr. Robert T and Kathryn McBride Hollingsworth Scholarships were established in June 2001 by friends of the Hollingsworths. The scholarships, awarded annually to a nursing major and a pre-medicine major at Delta State University, were established in honor of Hollingsworth’s outstanding contribution to the healthcare of the citizens of Shelby, Bolivar County, the Mississippi Delta and the state of Mississippi.
Hollingsworth enjoyed his family and occasionally took time to travel. He was active in Rotary International, city council, Shelby Methodist Church and Boy Scouts. Achieving Eagle Scout at age 16 under the guidance of his dad, the Scout Master, Dr. Bob was awarded the Silver Beaver 52 years later for his lifelong dedication to Scouting.
“Dr. Hollingsworth was a good Christian man and was more than a doctor to so many,” said Janie Price. “So many people were found of him.
“He went out of his way for his patients,” said Price. “There are so many good things I could say about him and his wife, Kathryn. We were so very blessed to have him in Shelby.”
“Dr. Hollingsworth was a wonder man,” said Lee Burke. “He was a good neighbor, great doctor and friend.”
Hollingsworth gave his remains to Emory Medical School in Atlanta. Please join the family in celebrating a life well-lived. A service for the family will be in Smyrna, Ga.
Memorials can be made to the Dr. R. T. and Kathryn Scholarship and should be addressed to Delta State University Alumni Foundation, Box 3141 in Cleveland, MS 38733. Memorials may also be made online at http://www.deltastate.edu/pages/481.asp and writing in the comment section “Dr. Hollingsworth Memorial”.