Robert E. "Bob" Holdren passed away (OH)

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Robert E. "Bob" Holdren passed away (OH)

Unread postby rainbowgirl28 » Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:18 pm

http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/conte ... l?nav=5009

Robert Errol Holdren
POSTED: July 22, 2009
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Robert E. "Bob" Holdren passed away Monday (July 20, 2009) at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital.

He was born Aug. 8, 1917, in Belpre, Ohio, and was the son of the late Clarence E. and Clara Oakes Holdren. He graduated from Belpre High School in 1935. His pole vault record of 12 feet, 6 3/4 inches (with a bamboo pole) was retired after more than 50 years. He graduated from the Ohio State University in 1941 with a bachelor of science in pomology. He was a decorated track star with multiple victories in Big Ten and national invitational meets; he never lost an indoor or outdoor track meet as a Buckeye. Although injury ended his pole-vaulting career, Bob contributed in other events, including a member of a world record mile relay team. As a freshman at Ohio State, he ranked fourth in the nation in pole vault in 1936 and an honorable mention All-American; and missed the 1936 Olympics by inch in the Olympic trials. He developed a long-term friendship with Jesse Owens that was rewarded when Jesse gave him the right shoe he wore while winning the four events of the 1936 Olympics. He served as an official in both national and international track meets for more than 50 years.

He developed and patented an apple named Holdren's Early Red in 1974 after 26 years of effort. He was inducted to the second class of the Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. Holdren, along with two other OSU track alumni, Daniel Graham and Harry Cogswell, formed Apex Feed and Supply in the early '50s. He remained an active partner in this enterprise for more than 20 years.

Starting in 1976, Holdren and son, Larry, opened Holdren's Market. Shortly thereafter, Ida and Sheryl Holdren and Carolyn Ann Emrick opened the Apple Tree Shop adjacent to the market. The family remained active in these businesses for more than 20 years.

He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Varsity-O, Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce, Belpre Area Community Foundation, Washington County School Board, and the Belpre Historical Society, Washington County School Board, Ohio Apple Growers Association and Veto Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Ida Dampeer. In addition, he is survived by two sons, Larry (Sheryl) of Little Hocking and Richard (Doreen) of Lancaster; sister, Betty Betz of Bellevue, Wash.; brother-in-law, John Dampeer of Hudson, Ohio; and extended family of Gregg, Ann and Christopher Emrick of Little Hocking.

Services will be at the Leavitt Funeral Home, Belpre, at 11 a.m. Thursday with Pastor Robin Swinsburg officiating. Burial will follow in the Rockland Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today and up to service time on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veto Presbyterian Church, or the Belpre Alumni Association.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com .

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