Vl Holland

1943 - 2022

VL Holland
January 31, 1943 - January 12, 2022
San Luis Obispo, California - VL Holland, 78, passed away on January 12, 2022, at home surrounded by his wife, son, daughter, and family. He was born on January 31, 1943, in Marmaduke Arkansas, the son of Burnia Airtes and Vedia Helen (Rea) Holland.
VL moved from the beautiful Ozarks of Arkansas to Taft, California when he was two years old due to devastating floods that inundated the family farm. Work in the lucrative oil fields brought them to Taft. Growing up in the wide-open spaces of the Central Valley nurtured his love of nature and constant desire for adventure.
He attended Taft schools from elementary through Taft Jr. College. He graduated from Fresno State with a B.A. and an M.A. in Biology. In January of 1968, he married the love of his life, Janie Rustigan. Together they moved to Berkeley, California where VL was accepted into the Ph.D. program at UC Berkeley. While in Berkeley, their daughter Deannie was born.
In the summer of 1972, the three moved to San Luis Obispo where VL accepted a teaching position in the Biology Department at Cal Poly State University. In 1974 his son Christopher was born. After several years of teaching Field Botany and Plant Ecology, he moved into the position of Chair of the Biology Department. He held that position for 22 years. VL would often say the best part of the job was being able to do things for people. It was during this time that he became interested in working on Environmental Impact Reports. In addition, he played an active role in many groups and organizations such as The Environmental Biotechnology Institute at Cal Poly and the Institute of Ecosystems Studies National Science Foundation Grant Schoolyard Ecology for Elementary Teachers. Dr. Holland also authored a book with his colleague Dr. David Keil entitled California Vegetation which became a textbook that several colleges use including CSU Fresno and UC Berkeley. Most recently, VL was inducted into the Taft High School Hall of Fame for his intellectual accomplishments.
VL loved the outdoors. He loved hiking and backpacking and continued hiking until his illness wouldn't allow him to do so. He also had a passion for all sports both as an athlete and a coach, and strongly believed that sports taught young people a work ethic, how to be a team player, and how to succeed in other areas of life. If he wasn't playing himself, coaching his children, or cheering on his grandchildren, he was rooting on his favorite college teams. Besides his love of nature and sports, his family and friends will remember him by the mischievous twinkle in his eye, his quiet generosity to those in need, and his unconditional and unwavering love for his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Burnia Holland, mother Vedia Holland, brother Don Holland, and sister Wilda Farris. He is survived by his wife Janie, daughter Deannie (Shawn) Greenelsh, son Chris (Alissa) Holland, both of San Luis Obispo, grandsons Nate (Shelby) Greenelsh, Landon Greenelsh, and Luke Holland of San Luis Obispo, and granddaughters Olivia Greenelsh, Emma Holland, and Ava Holland, all of San Luis Obispo. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A quote placed at the bottom of all his emails best represents the life he lived, "You have not lived a perfect day until you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you," a philosophy that was guided by his quiet and humble faith in God. Countless people are recipients of VL's generosity and love. He is greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life is pending due to the current Covid-19 surge. Remembrances may be made to Jack's Helping Hand, Hospice, or a charity of your choice.