Robert H. Holt
Robert Henry Holt August 6, 1930, September 26, 2020 Bob left this world peacefully, after a two week hospital stay. He spent his last days with his four beloved daughters, Sharon, Becky, Patty and Chrissy, and his dear companion, Ann. He held our hands while listening to his favorite country gospel music, and quietly went home to be with Jesus. Born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Bob spent his youth surrounded by his four brothers and three sisters. He loved sports and the outdoors and if he wasn't out catching fish with his brother Lee or working at the local dairy farm to help his family, you could find him running up and down the basketball court. After graduation from Northfield High School in Vermont, he joined the United States Air Force. Eventually, he was stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Washington State, where he met Jean on a blind date, and fell in love. Bob and Jean married in 1955 and traveled to Japan with their daughter, Sharon. Two more daughters, Rebekah and Patricia, joined the family while they were stationed in Japan. They came back to the states and lived in Nebraska, before returning to Washington where they would make their home. Bob spent 12 years as an Air Force Radio Operator, and was a proud veteran who served during the Korean War. Bob and Jean bought a house in Tacoma and added one more daughter, Christine, to their family. After leaving the military, Bob was a pipefitter for Washington Natural Gas Company, and eventually started his own gas installation business. He loved farming and gardening on their three acres in Midland. He also loved all things family. His love for nature, the outdoors, sports and any kind of competition extended to his children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He even made weeding the garden a competition! We all have memories of hiking, camping, fishing trips, family picnics with games of baseball and HORSE, late nights playing cards around the dining room table, watching Wheel of Fortune or The Mariners, and afternoon games of 500 in the backyard. Bob is at the core of all of these, and countless more memories. Bob was so proud of all of his kids and their families, and he made that known throughout his conversations with his girls on his last days. We learned so much from him about what a family is, and about how to enjoy life. He attended all of his kids, grandkids,and great grandkids sporting and school events. He knew and cared for all of their friends and was known as Papa Bob to more than just immediate family. He often shared jokes and wisdom, and taught all the kids to “keep their nose clean” and about how to be “spruce”! After his dear wife Jeanie passed, he moved to Eatonville, and spent many days fishing on the lake, going to the YMCA, and visiting the senior center for meals and card games. He met a very special person, Ann Heseltine at the center, and they spent the last 6 years laughing, traveling, gardening and enjoying each other's company. Traveling was one of Bob’s favorite things to do. He was very fortunate to go on many adventures throughout his life. Some of these were long road trips, scenic train rides, visiting his sisters and their families on the East Coast, flights to spring training to cheer on the Mariners, hikes in the mountains, fishing in Alaska and at Packwood Lake, cruises north and south of the equator, zip lining in Costa Rica at 82 and a hot air balloon ride to celebrate his 90 years on earth. Bob truly lived life to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Ella Holt, brothers Ed, King, Francis and Lee Holt, loving wife of 55 years, Jeannie (Rooney) Holt, and granddaughter Heather Kristovich. He will be greatly missed by his sisters: Betty Vandenhole, Kay Faraday, and Marian Shields; Children: Sharon Gallick, Becky and Dave Kristovich, Pat and Scott Humphreys, Chris and Jim Ohlinger; Grandchildren: Angie and Dan Fagan, Laura and Daniel Hart, Justin and Haley Kristovich, Mandy and Keegan Williams, Scotty and Tara Humphreys, Bryce Humphreys, Jim and Emily Ohlinger, Amy and Peter Mallahan; 22 great grandchildren; and special friend Ann Heseltine. Ann’s family lovingly welcomed Bob into their lives, and he loved them all. Bob made an impact on everyone he met. If you knew him, you loved him. He will join Jean at Tahoma National Cemetery. Unfortunately, we are limited in the size of our gathering. If you would like to participate in a virtual celebration to share stories and your memories of Bob, please email rememberingbobholt@gmail.com by October 18 for more information. Bob loved going to the senior center in Eatonville, run by Catholic Community Services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.ccsww.org or a charity of your choice.Obituary
Robert Henry Holt August 6, 1930, September 26, 2020 Bob left this world peacefully, after a two week hospital stay. He spent his last days with his four beloved daughters, Sharon, Becky, Patty and Chrissy, and his dear companion, Ann. He held our hands while listening to his favorite country gospel music, and quietly went home to be with Jesus. Born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Bob spent his youth surrounded by his four brothers and three sisters. He loved sports and the outdoors and if he wasn't out catching fish with his brother Lee or working at the local dairy farm to help his family, you could find him running up and down the basketball court. After graduation from Northfield High School in Vermont, he joined the United States Air Force. Eventually, he was stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Washington State, where he met Jean on a blind date, and fell in love. Bob and Jean married in 1955 and traveled to Japan with their daughter, Sharon. Two more daughters, Rebekah and Patricia, joined the family while they were stationed in Japan. They came back to the states and lived in Nebraska, before returning to Washington where they would make their home. Bob spent 12 years as an Air Force Radio Operator, and was a proud veteran who served during the Korean War. Bob and Jean bought a house in Tacoma and added one more daughter, Christine, to their family. After leaving the military, Bob was a pipefitter for Washington Natural Gas Company, and eventually started his own gas installation business. He loved farming and gardening on their three acres in Midland. He also loved all things family. His love for nature, the outdoors, sports and any kind of competition extended to his children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He even made weeding the garden a competition! We all have memories of hiking, camping, fishing trips, family picnics with games of baseball and HORSE, late nights playing cards around the dining room table, watching Wheel of Fortune or The Mariners, and afternoon games of 500 in the backyard. Bob is at the core of all of these, and countless more memories. Bob was so proud of all of his kids and their families, and he made that known throughout his conversations with his girls on his last days. We learned so much from him about what a family is, and about how to enjoy life. He attended all of his kids, grandkids,and great grandkids sporting and school events. He knew and cared for all of their friends and was known as Papa Bob to more than just immediate family. He often shared jokes and wisdom, and taught all the kids to “keep their nose clean” and about how to be “spruce”! After his dear wife Jeanie passed, he moved to Eatonville, and spent many days fishing on the lake, going to the YMCA, and visiting the senior center for meals and card games. He met a very special person, Ann Heseltine at the center, and they spent the last 6 years laughing, traveling, gardening and enjoying each other's company. Traveling was one of Bob’s favorite things to do. He was very fortunate to go on many adventures throughout his life. Some of these were long road trips, scenic train rides, visiting his sisters and their families on the East Coast, flights to spring training to cheer on the Mariners, hikes in the mountains, fishing in Alaska and at Packwood Lake, cruises north and south of the equator, zip lining in Costa Rica at 82 and a hot air balloon ride to celebrate his 90 years on earth. Bob truly lived life to the fullest. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Ella Holt, brothers Ed, King, Francis and Lee Holt, loving wife of 55 years, Jeannie (Rooney) Holt, and granddaughter Heather Kristovich. He will be greatly missed by his sisters: Betty Vandenhole, Kay Faraday, and Marian Shields; Children: Sharon Gallick, Becky and Dave Kristovich, Pat and Scott Humphreys, Chris and Jim Ohlinger; Grandchildren: Angie and Dan Fagan, Laura and Daniel Hart, Justin and Haley Kristovich, Mandy and Keegan Williams, Scotty and Tara Humphreys, Bryce Humphreys, Jim and Emily Ohlinger, Amy and Peter Mallahan; 22 great grandchildren; and special friend Ann Heseltine. Ann’s family lovingly welcomed Bob into their lives, and he loved them all. Bob made an impact on everyone he met. If you knew him, you loved him. He will join Jean at Tahoma National Cemetery. Unfortunately, we are limited in the size of our gathering. If you would like to participate in a virtual celebration to share stories and your memories of Bob, please email rememberingbobholt@gmail.com by October 18 for more information. Bob loved going to the senior center in Eatonville, run by Catholic Community Services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.ccsww.org or a charity of your choice.
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Kent, WA 98042