Dr. Donald Holck

1931 - 2016

Dr. Donald Holck
May 12, 1931 - Aug. 1, 2016
Resident of Santa Cruz
Dr. Donald Holck, of Santa Cruz, CA, died peacefully in his home, with his loving wife, Barbara Lou ("Lou"), by his side, on August 1, 2016. He was 85 years old.
Don, is survived by his daughters, Laura Holck and Carolyn Holck Brown, both of San Diego County. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Andrew "Drew" Brown, Anne Layon, and Nicholas Layon.
Don was born on May 12, 1931, in Aurora, Illinois, to Ernest and Berneda Holck. He was their only child. Don graduated from West Aurora High. As a youth, he was very involved in Scouting. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout, with three palm clusters. He attended North Central College in Naperville, IL, and later graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, in 1955. Don then joined the US Air Force and served as a Captain stationed at Edwards Air Force Base.
Don and Lou married in 1956. Upon completing his Oral Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Highland-Alameda Hospital, Oakland, in 1961, Don and Lou moved to Santa Cruz. Don established a solo practice in Oral Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery and retired in 1993.
Don was very involved with the then two hospitals that served the Santa Cruz - Community Hospital and Dominican Hospital, where he was active on both staffs. Don had a passion for the practice of oral surgery; he attended weekly medical conferences at Dominican Hospital, as well as attended many international conferences. He enjoyed the camaraderie of personal and professional relationships he cultivated over the years with friends and colleagues. In addition to Don's dedicated career, He was an avid fisherman, traveler, outdoorsman, and private pilot. Don was a Quiet Birdman member and also a lifetime Santa Cruz Elks member.
Don lived his life to the fullest. His strong spirit, big heart, gratitude, tenacity, and humor persisted throughout his entire life, including the three year rehabilitation that followed a severe stroke in 2013. The family wishes to acknowledge the conscientious caregivers who assisted Don during this difficult transition. A special "thank you", filled with love and gratitude, is extended to Nomar Sanchez for his compassionate care for Don. The family has great appreciation for Don's friends, the many doctors who cared for him, as well as Hospice of Santa Cruz, for their endless support.
A memorial celebration will be held on Sunday, August 21st, 1:00 p.m., at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel on Cayuga Street. To express your condolences or share a memory with Donald's family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com.


View the online memorial for Dr. Donald Holck