Henry Holland, Jr

Henry Marvin Holland, Jr, 97, passed away after a short stay at Denver Hospice. Born in San Diego, CA, to Henry Marvin Holland, Sr and Gertrude (Yerxa) Holland. His wife, Jacquelyn “Jackie”, son Michael, his parents, brothers John and Charles predeceased him. Survived by four daughters: Jan Holland-Beachley, MD (David Beachley) of Denver, Hilary Holland, JD (Richard Borchers) of Westminster, CO, Greta Van Benschoten (David) of Minneapolis, MN and Cara Holland (Jack Craven) of Buckeye, AZ, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A World War II Army veteran of the European Theater, Henry served with the 68th Field Artillery Battalion,1st Armored Division from 1944 until 1946, until honorably discharged with a Purple Heart.

Henry received his BA from San Diego State in 1950 and his MA in Political Economy from Claremont Graduate School, CA. in 1952. As graduate students together, he met the love of his life and future wife, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Anne Crawford of Tilton, NH. He received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Washington in 1958.

In 1952, Henry and Jackie married, and attended St. Xavier University in Nova Scotia for training in the cooperative movement. They travelled to the Dominican Republic to help establish farming cooperatives. Their common interest in politics and social justice brought them together and shaped their lives and the lives of their children.

Henry was involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s and was a mediator during race riots in Rochester NY in 1968. During the civil rights movement, Henry and Jackie taught their children about the value of racial and cultural diversity, non-violent protest and the importance of social justice causes. Henry and Jackie were instrumental in bringing awareness of these issues to their friends and the community.

Henry’s academic teaching career spanned the University of Washington, Penn State, SUNY Geneseo, Alfred University, NY and the University of Denver, where he taught American Government and Constitutional Law from 1969 until his retirement in 1991. Henry authored many scholarly articles and wrote the book Politics Through Literature in 1968. His family was proud of his academic achievements, and his role in the education of innumerable college students.

Henry introduced the world to his children through books and reading, which he called “travelling to the world of the mind”. He made history come alive in the information he shared with his children, anchoring the present with the past.

Henry was a refreshing advocate for women. He openly expressed his respect, admiration and support for his wife’s intellect, education and interests, giving the same of himself to his children. He actively supported undergraduate women students seeking letters of recommendation to law school.

Married for 66 years, Henry and Jackie modelled the commitment to long-term relationships. Henry was a loving and dedicated husband and father to his five children, including his special needs son. With his youthful looks, and to the family’s chagrin, he was often asked if he was the older brother of his daughters. Henry had a dry sense of humor, a quick wit and great wisdom and intellect. He led an exemplary life.

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