BUD HOLLOWELL

BUD HOLLOWELL, Ph.D., 71
Owner, Flamingo Homecare
JANUARY 1, 1943 - MAY 16, 2014

LAKELAND- Bud Hollowell, 71, died May 16, 2014 due to prostate cancer.
Bud lived an authentic life marked by accolades and achievements. He was a scholar, an athlete, a much respected teacher, friend, father, and beloved husband, but most especially he was a wise and spiritual seeker. His lifelong dedication to consciously-and altruistically-practicing compassion and kindness toward all people, animals, and things influenced everyone who knew him.
Bud was born and grew up in Long Beach, California. He obtained his doctorate and other degrees from the University of Southern California where he played both football and baseball. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1963 College World Series, setting a home run record that stands to this day and leading his team to the College All-American National Championship. This lead to representing America at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He went on to play and coach for the Alaska Goldpanners, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and many other teams.
Bud's desire to find ways to enhance his athletic abilities led him to study, and eventually become, a licensed hypnotherapist. He held a private practice for many years in Fairbanks, Alaska becoming deeply involved in the mysteries and applications of consciousness, the mechanics of the human mind, and the mysteries of the human heart.
It was during this time he published his first book, "The Eternal Dance," (1984). He had the honor of the Dalia Lama reading excerpts from it in a daily teaching at the Temple in Dharamsala, India.
Bud moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in 1990 with his wife, where they lived, laughed, taught, drank Starbucks frappachinos, scuba-dived, watched sunsets, adopted pets, established many community programs, and shared their talents with others for many years.
He spent the remainder of his life in Florida. He taught for the University of Phoenix, where he was awarded Outstanding Professor of the Year three different times as well as serving as the Area Chair of Philosophy & World Comparative Religions. He also was on the Wellness Staff at Florida Southern College for a year. He and his wife run Flamingo Homecare in Lakeland, Florida which serves the needs of the elderly, ill, and disabled.
Other outstanding lifetime accomplishments include receiving Honorable Mention as an Outstanding Philosopher of the 20th Century, and a Peace and Freedom Citation from the State of Alaska for assisting Chinese students and dissidents escaping persecution after the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.
Locally Bud served on the Board of Polk Senior Games, having won a total of 22 gold and silver medals in a wide variety of events, setting the county record in punt, pass, and kick for his age group. His television show "Mind Boggles" can been seen locally on PGTV.
Bud published his last book, "The Quantum Gateway: At the intersection of Religion and Science" two years ago.
Known simply as "Doc" to those who loved him, Bud is survived by his daughter Leisa Reid of Orange County, California, his son David Hollowell of Fairbanks, Alaska, a step-daughter from a previous marriage, Jennifer Merriman of Reno, Nevada, his beloved partner and wife, Sheila Hollowell of Lakeland, Florida and his wife's children: Jason Smith of Orlando, Florida, Timothy Smith of Southern Pines, North Carolina, Maggie Treviso of Concord, California and a grandchild raised by he and his wife, Shadow Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada.
As he wished, his body will be cremated and there will be no funeral services.