Harold Wilson Holtzclaw

4 October 1928 – 24 August 2012

Retired Colonel Harold Wilson Holtzclaw, PhD, 83, long-time resident of Alexandria, VA, passed away on 24 August of natural causes.

Hal was born in Harrodsburg, KY on 4 October 1928. He attended Breckenridge Training School in Morehead, KY, as well as the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1949 and a Master of Arts in 1950. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. He received a PhD from the University of Denver in 1963. He also attended the National War College.

Hal received a reserve commission in the United States Air Force in June 1950 and served on active duty from 1956 to 1985. His assignments included Chairman of Government and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science USAF Academy 1960-67. He received the Legion of Merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired from the faculty of the National Defense University in 1991.

Hal was a highly respected bridge player, achieving the rank of Gold Life Master. He won dozens of events at sectional, regional and national tournaments sanctioned by the American Contract Bridge League. He was also very involved in Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, sitting on the Board of Trustees for a time and was always a respected elder. Hal was also an inveterate traveler, an insatiable reader, and a lifelong Redskins fan with a penchant for friendly poker games,.

Harold was married to Margaret “Em” Holtzclaw for 40 years; she left this Earth in 1996. He then shared many years with Isa McGuire of Bradenton, FL.

Hal is survived by his children Sheryl Gusman of Sterling, VA, James Holtzclaw of Savannah, GA, and Debra Early of Charlottesville, VA and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Claudia Holtzclaw of Sarasota, FL and brother Barry Holtzclaw of Dayton, OH.

There is a visitation at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314, on 14 September from 6-8 pm. A memorial service will be held at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307, 15 September at 11 am.

He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery next to Em and receive full honors.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Northern Virginia, Hospice of Northern VA, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22042