Duncan Carl Holt

1946 - 2025

Duncan Carl Holt
August 8, 1946 - November 3, 2025
Duncan lived a full and happy life until a recent unexpected hospital stay. He passed away at Providence Memorial Hospital on the morning of November 3 at the age of 79. Family from near and far were at his side during his two week hospitalization.
Duncan was born in Alameda, CA in 1946, the firstborn son to parents Oscar and Sara Lou Holt. The family later moved to Turlock where egg farming became the family business. After attending Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Duncan continued the agricultural legacy when he bought an egg ranch in Santa Rosa in 1975 with his brother Bruce. The ranch produced and distributed eggs throughout Northern California under the Lucerne label. Eggs continued to play a central role in the family with Duncan serving as an officer on the CA Egg Advisory Board, the American Egg Board and for twenty-five years on the board of Valley Fresh Foods with his siblings.
Like his brothers and sons, Duncan's personal interests leaned towards fast moving vehicles. Before graduating from Turlock High School in 1965, he was an active member of the Untouchables Car Club, proudly driving a well polished '65 Chevelle SS. After graduation he advanced to competing on quarter-mile racetracks throughout the state in his Holt Brother's 1967 Camaro.
At age twenty-one, Duncan enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Edwards AFB and later in Saigon during the Vietnam War. His love of airplanes was kindled early in life when he flew in the co-pilot seat with his dad. With the help of the GI bill, he became an instrument-rated single engine pilot in 1978. He had over 1000 hours in the cockpit when he retired his license and plane.
Destined not to sit home for long, Duncan turned his attention to RV travel. In their forty-four years of marriage, he and his wife Nancy traveled and toured throughout the US at every opportunity, eventually marking half a million road miles. Duncan made friends wherever he went and served as President, Treasurer and rally master for their very active RV Club. He even fulfilled his dream of owning an RV resort when he and Nancy purchased a 450-site seasonal campground along the Salmon Falls River in Maine in 2000.
Duncan is survived by his wife Nancy, and two sons Darin (Deanna) Holt from Lake County and Ryan (Crystal) Holt from San Luis Obispo. Grandchildren include Cameron, Brandon, Maddison and Cooper Holt. Duncan was the eldest of four children and maintained close contact with brothers Bruce (Karen) and Loren (Rita), and his sister Ann Bersaas (Rick). He is also survived by his stepmother Sally Holt of Turlock.
Our family would like to recognize and thank the doctors and nurses of Providence Memorial Hospital for the loving care and kindness they extended to Duncan in his last few weeks. The staff on the Oncology/Palliative Care wing quickly become trusted caregivers for Duncan while offering much comfort to the family. We are thankful beyond words.
A memorial service for Duncan will be held at Daniels Chapel of the Roses in Santa Rosa on December 8 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Duncan's memory to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Foundation: Palliative Care Fund at GiveToMemorial.org.