Alan Holder

Alan Holder was born and bred in Brooklyn, He received his A.B., M.A. and Ph.D from Columbia University. Over a period of forty years he taught at Columbia College, University of Vermont, University of Southern California, Williams, and Cornell, but primarily at Hunter College of the City University of New York. He published four books and several articles in the field of literary criticism.

For two years after retiring, he wrote a weekly column on the environment for The Redding Pilot of Redding, Connecticut, where he and his beloved wife, Barbara had built their dream home. After Barbara's sudden passing in 2005, he published his first chapbook of poetry reflecting on his loss. To combat his sadness and loneliness, he volunteered as a teacher's assistant in a preschool, working with three- and four-year-old children who brightened his days.

Having specialized in teaching poetry throughout his career, he continued to run a poetry workshop at The Ridgefield Public Library in Connecticut. His poems have appeared in various publications, and he is the author of two chapbooks titled *Opened: A Mourning Sequence* and *Aging Head in the Clouds*. More recently, two volumes of his poetry were published, *Skygazer* and *Voices Against Silence*.

Alan was a lover of animals and generously donated to organizations ranging from the Humane Society to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, one of his favorites. He enjoyed many genres of music and, until his last day, could be found whistling and singing the songs of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, and Frank Sinatra, among others.

He is survived by his stepdaughter, Deborah Goldman; son-in-law, Scott Goldman; and his cherished granddaughter, Annabelle. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Holder; sister, Elaine Adler; and parents, Jeannine and Joseph Holder.