Richard Charles Holmquist

HOLMQUIST, Richard Charles, 93, a retired business executive, passed away December 3, 2008, in Richmond, Va. A native of Indiana, he graduated from Indiana University in 1937, and went to work for General Electric Company in Bridgeport, Conn. With General Electric Company, he served in various positions, in different locations, serving primarily in management positions in the area of employee, public, and government relations. While Manager of Employee and Community Relations in Baltimore, Md., he was named "Man of the Year" for that city. For several years he was responsible for corporate liaison in Washington, D.C. with government related organizations, government agencies, and members of Congress. In 1961, he moved to Richmond, Va., to become Executive Director of the Virginia Industrialization Group, during which time he served as consultant to Governor Albertis Harrison in developing and executing a comprehensive plan to stimulate the economic growth of Virginia. This involved programs for legislative changes, improving educational opportunities, organizing local and regional industrial development groups, and promoting the economic advantages of the state. He did the initial planning and exploratory work for the state's foreign trade missions. Upon completion of this three-year assignment, he accepted a position as vice president of Lone Star Cement Corporation. He later became senior vice president of that company in Greenwich, Conn. During the Ford Administration, the President appointed him as Chairman of the federal government's Renegotiation Board. For five years before returning to Richmond to retire, he served as vice president of the National Mining Association in Washington, D.C. During World War II, Mr. Holmquist served as a U.S. Naval Officer in the Pacific. He was a member of River Road Presbyterian Church where he was an elder. He belonged to The Country Club of Virginia and The Commonwealth Club. Over the years, he was an active member in numerous civic, political, and social organizations. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sarah Jennings Holmquist; two sons, Richard C. Holmquist Jr., and wife of Paris, France, and Robert J. Holmquist of Richmond; a brother, Donald J. Holmquist of Indianapolis, Ind.; and three sisters, Jeanne Carlton of San Diego, Calif., Caryl Holmquist of Seattle, Wash., and Marjorie Wolf of St. Joseph, Mich. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy M. Holmquist of Ross, Ind., and a brother, Robert W. Holmquist of Cheyenne, Wyo. A memorial service will be held on January 3, 2009, at River Road Presbyterian Church, where his remains will be placed in the church's Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the River Road Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 8960 River Road, Richmond,Va. 23229.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.