Rocky Mount, N.C.—A new music scholarship honoring the memory of Dr. George Rufus Ratchford has recently been established at North Carolina Wesleyan College. The scholarship, which was originally created by his wife, Kay, is still receiving contributions from Dr. Ratchford’s many friends, who remember him not only as a dedicated physician but a talented musician as well.

Dr. Ratchford took an interest in music at an early age, playing in his Gastonia High School jazz band. The group remained friends beyond high school and continued to play music together for many years afterward. Dr. Ratchford played trombone and went on to become a member of the band at Duke University. He also established a reputation as an accomplished pianist, and his friends report that nothing gave him more pleasure than to play the piano for them.

Dr. Ratchford enjoyed a long and successful career with Rocky Mount’s Boice Willis Clinic. There he practiced internal medicine for 37 years. During that time, he became well-known and respected throughout the Rocky Mount community and beyond.

Dr. Ratchford died September 4, 2009.

The Dr. George Rufus Ratchford Instrumental Music Scholarship Endowment at NC Wesleyan will serve as a memorial to this talented physician and musician, and to the considerable contributions he made to society. The recipients of this meaningful scholarship will be for all instrumentalists, including pianists, who demonstrate talent, passion, commitment, and love for music, just as Dr. Ratchford did.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the scholarship fund may contact Wesleyan’s Office of Institutional Advancement at 252-985-5266 or email trobinson@ncwc.edu.