Dr. R. B. Legg – CCHS Commencement Speaker for the 100th Graduating Ceremonies

[img attachment=”10324″ align=”alignleft” size=”medium” alt=”Dr. R. B. Legg” caption=”Dr. R. B. Legg” /]Dr. R. Brooks Legg Jr. has practiced dentistry in Clay, WV for 41 years.  Dr. Legg was born in Montgomery, WV on June 8, 1950 and graduated from Clay County High School in June 1968 in the largest graduating class from CCHS.
After graduation, Dr. Legg attended the University of Kentucky for two years, majoring in Chemistry and Physics.  Dr. Legg received an early admission to the WV University School of Dentistry, graduating with honors on May 27, 1975.
Dr. Legg received several awards including the Robert Biddington Scholarship, which is awarded to the freshmen dental student with the highest scholastic grade point average.  While attending dental school, Dr. Legg also received awards in oral medicine, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery/anesthesiology and prosthodontics.  As a senior he was chosen for membership in Omicron Kapp Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society.  This achievement is limited to those dental students who have distinguished themselves by excellence in scholarship.
On July 20, 1974, the woman of his dreams became the love of his life, when he married Diann Brown of Cannelton, WV   Dr. Legg and his wife have three children, Jeanne, Dr. Lydia Legg (also a dentist and board certified Prosthodontist), and Brooks.
Dr. Legg was a member of the Clay County Board of Education for 29 years, and served as the President of the board for 17 years.  He has always been a strong supporter of education in Clay County and has served as a mentor and tutor for many CCHS Panthers.   Dr. Legg has been civically engaged with youth for over 35 years as well, serving as a Boy Scout Troop Leader, and is an Eagle Scout himself.
As is apparent, education has been an integral part of Dr. Legg’s life.  This legacy was fostered by his parents.  His Dad, Brooks Legg, was a CCHS graduate in 1935 with the 19th graduating class.  Monica Legg, his mother, also graduated as a Panther in 1938.  Both of his parents were the first in their families to graduate from high school.
Determination and grit were instilled in R. B. through the many experiences of his Dad.  Brooks would walk 26 miles round trip to be able to attend school.  When the weather was too severe to travel that many miles, Brooks would sleep under a porch in Clay just so he could attend school.  He would pack a lard bucket with food that would last him a number of days, often times consisting of cornbread and apple butter.
Brooks had one pair of pants and one shirt to wear to school.  He would meticulously care of these clothes in order to make them last.  He was determined to succeed, and did not allow obstacles to prevent his success.  He shared textbooks with Carl Reedy, another graduate, in order to gain credit for course work.
Two words can describe this determination:  resilience and persistence.  It is obvious that Dr. Legg is carrying on that legacy, and CCHS is humbled to be a part of his life.