Leonard I. Holder

1923 - 2012

Leonard I. Holder, a native of Fort Worth and a longtime resident of Gettysburg, Pa., passed away Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Funeral: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Gettysburg Presbyterian Church. Memorials: Gettysburg College or Gettysburg Presbyterian Church, in lieu of flowers. Born Nov. 30, 1923, in Fort Worth, he was the son of the late John William Holder and Bernice Irene Holder. He was married to Jean S. Holder for 63 years. Dr. Holder received his early education in Texas, graduating from Carter Riverside High School in 1941 in Fort Worth as class valedictorian. He received his B.S. degree in 1947 in aeronautical engineering, his M.S. degree in 1951 in mathematics from Texas A&M and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Purdue University in 1955. Dr. Holder taught mathematics at the college level for more than 42 years. Prior to coming to Gettysburg College in 1964 as professor and chairman of the mathematics department, he held faculty positions at Arlington State College, Texas A&M and San Jose State College. He also served as dean of the College of Gettysburg for four years. In 1993 he was awarded the Lindbach Award for excellence in teaching. He was a member of Phi Kappa Pi and Sigma Zi honor societies. He authored five college mathematics textbooks, including the widely used "A Primer for Calculus," which went through six editions, and its follow-up, "Calculus with Analytic Geometry." While still residing in Fort Worth, Dr. Holder was elected an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He also served as choir director at churches in Texas and Indiana. He was predeceased by his brother, Rear Adm. Billy Douglas Holder, and one sister, Janette Sink. Survivors: His wife; sons, William Leonard Holder of Middletown, Conn., and Stephen Andrew Holder of Eugene, Ore.; and sister, Jessie Irene Jones of Richardson.