DALE VANCE HOLLIDAY

HOLLIDAY, DALE VANCE May 29, 1940 to February 4, 2010 Dr. Dale Vance Holliday, of San Diego, California, known to his friends as Van, passed away on Thursday, February 4th, at the age of 69. He was surrounded by his family. Born in Ennis, Texas on May 29, 1940 to Francis Kevil and Miriam Lucille Holliday, he grew up in the nearby town of Palmer with his parents and younger sister, Sharon Patricia. He attended school in Waxahachie, Texas, and graduated from Waco High School when he was only 16 years old. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1965 with his Master's Degree in Physics, and from the University of California with a PhD in Applied Physics in 1972. On June 1, 1962, he married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Freeman who also graduated from the University of Texas. Van began working for Tracor Inc., in Austin, Texas in 1962 and was transferred to their San Diego facility in 1965. Van continued to work for the same company which became known as BAE Systems until his retirement in 2007. Van's scientific career was long and distinguished. He worked in theoretical and applied science for over 45 years. He loved every moment of it. He was a true pioneer in his field. The theoretical discoveries and innovative applications he made in bioacoustical science continues to impact the advancement of science, the understanding of our world and the conservation of our planet. He worked in extreme environments, ranging from the temperate ocean of the coast of California, to the frozen Arctic seas. He was recognized for his significant contributions through several distinguished and rare honors including: the Prix d'Excellence by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) (2008); the Silver Medal in Acoustical Oceanography (2004) "for contributions to the study of marine life, from plankton to whales;" the Meritorious Public Service Award by the Department of the Navy, Chief of Naval Research (2002), a seat on the editorial board of a fundamental research journal, Limnology and Oceanography: Methods (2002); he was honored with the Steinbach Visiting Scholar at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Summer, 1987) ; he was a longtime member of the US Delegation to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) (1987); NOAA even named a Research Vessel after him, the "R/V D. V. Holliday." Finally, he had an entire sea mount named after him, Mount Holliday, located in the Bering Sea. He was an extremely humble man, yet he left an incredible legacy. He was a man of great faith, a devoted husband, and a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by this wife of 48 years, Beth, his three children and their spouses Kathy and Joe Bento of Waxahachie, Texas, Karen and Jim Lindquist of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, and Christy and Corey Carroll of Corona, California. He can be heard in the laughter of his five grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, and Joseph Bento, and Caleb and Corbin Carroll. He is now in heaven rejoicing with our Lord, visiting with his parents and little sister Sharon, and playing with his granddaughter Kaitlyn Lindquist. Funeral Services were held in San Diego, California on February 6th. Services in Texas will be held at Keever's Mortuary, in Palmer, Texas, on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. Graveside services will follow at the Palmer Cemetery.