Brian Holcomb

1948 - 2023

Brian Holcomb
Sept. 30, 1948 - Sept. 28, 2023
Brian Lee Holcomb, gentleman, scholar, adventurer and all round good fellow, was born Sept. 30, 1948, to Josephine and Elliot Holcomb, and passed away Sept. 28, 2023. He grew up in the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland.
In high school Brian's Episcopal priest introduced him to rock climbing, a monumental influence in his life. Through college and the rest of his life rock climbing was his passion. He was a lifelong member of the Mazamas Alpine Climbing Club. He started the Mazama Advanced Climbing Program, taught climbing and served on the Mazama board. He climbed in many places throughout the Western U.S. His greatest joy was climbing at Smith Rock and on the great walls at Yosemite.
Brian attended Portland State majoring in history, another of his passions. He earned his master's degree in New Mexico and went on to a career in technical writing and training.
In 1984 he married Virginia Seiser. They lived in New Mexico for a number of years where he found another passion, caving. He explored the caves at Carlsbad Caverns and Lechuguilla and did cave mapping for the National Park Service. He also served there in Mountain Search and Rescue. After his divorce from Ginny, with whom he remained lifelong friends, he moved back to Oregon to care for his mother, Jo, in the last year of her life.
On Jan. 1, 1999, he met Susan Klein. They married in 2002. He gave Sue some of the best years of her life, introducing her to Yosemite, where they spent many summer and autumn vacations. He showed her the caves in New Mexico, and they made many road trips together throughout the West. We had a spectacular time!
Brian was a lifelong Episcopalian. Learning that Brian was an historian, his priest at St. Michael's in Newberg asked if he would be willing to teach history of the Bible which he did, brilliantly. He and Susan have enjoyed the many friendships they made at St. Michael's.
He's watching over his wife, Susan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Greg and Corinne Klein and Steve and Lynn Klein. Also, his nephew and nieces and their spouses, Joel and Chris Klein and the extraordinary twins Max and Ivan, Misha and Taylor Lind and their daughter Jovie Ruth, and Jessica and Kyleigh Klein and their daughter Mattley Ann. They were a wonderful family to him, and he loved them all.
Brian was an intellectual and will be remembered for his sense of humor, integrity, adventuresome spirit, and kindness. If you wish to remember Brian in some way, donations to the Yosemite Foundation or OPB would be welcome.
We wish to thank Brian's Friendsview caregivers who gave so much, Janelle, Laticia, Gabby, Brianne, Grace, Monica, and Sue. We give a very special thanks to Justin, Brian's trainer who kept him as fit as possible and brought light into his life.
Brian is now with old friends, rock climbing in heaven. He is on belay.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits