Howard Hollinger

HOLLINGER, Howard Earl Howard Earl Hollinger of Dripping Springs, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2018. He was strong, intelligent, kind, funny, artistic, a good stick, a heckuva writer, and an all-around excellent human being who was liked by all who knew him. Howard was born in Phoenix, AZ to Howard O. "Hollie" Hollinger and Louise Hickerson Hollinger. They soon moved to Arlington, TX where Howard grew up. He attended Arlington High School and played saxophone in the marching band and stage band under the direction of Dean Corey. He was offered a music scholarship to college but decided to pursue a degree in Architecture at the University of Texas in Arlington instead. After getting his Bachelor's degree, he started a career in commercial real estate, ultimately with Building Solutions in Dallas. He managed projects all over the country ranging from hotels, shopping centers and zoos to private schools, including Good Shepherd Episcopal School in Dallas and Trinity Episcopal School in Austin. Howard had two children, Laura and David, with former spouse Cindy Anne Hollinger. They were members of the Fort Worth Boat Club where Howard was active in club administration and an avid sailor, regularly competing in regattas either as crew to others or skipper on his red Catalina 22, "Rojo Loco". His children were also actively involved in junior sailing recreation and competition. Howard enjoyed cycling for some time, participating in the Hotter'N Hell 100 and other grueling rides in and around North Texas. Over these years he also found the time to restore a 1967 Mustang GTA Fastback with the help of his son and good friends. He was an active father, always enthusiastically sharing his interests with his children be it through sailing, cycling, camping, basic auto repair, meandering road trips across the country, school science fair projects, pinewood derby competitions in local YMCA programs, regular air show attendance, and countless other adventures over the years. Howard learned to fly at Pylon Field while in high school, under the influence of his father, who was an American Airlines captain. He put aside flying while raising a family and pursuing other activities, but returned to it in 2004 with the purchase of a 1948 Luscombe 8A. Howard probably thought he was just buying an airplane, but in reality he joined a community of like-minded pilots. He was an active participant in the Luscombe Yahoo Group, where he went by the nickname "Hard Times Earl". He mentored young pilots, and freely gave of his knowledge and common sense to fellow Luscombe owners. He was renowned for his stories of the delights of flying small planes, Luscombes in particular. In 2005 he met his wife, Cynthia, who owned a 1946 Luscombe 8E, through the Luscombe community, and they were married at the annual Antique Airplane Association Fly-In in Blakesburg, IA on September 5, 2009. After his marriage, he moved to the Dripping Springs area, where he opened the Austin office of Building Solutions. The couple kept their two airplanes at Kittie Hill Airport, in Leander, TX, and then at Burg Lake Aero Airport in Stonewall, TX, and were active in the local flying community. They also enjoyed travelling, boating, and camping at state parks in their travel trailer. Howard was a railroad buff, and he and Cynthia enjoyed a bucket list trip from Halifax to Vancouver on VIA Rail trains, The Ocean and The Canadian. He was a voracious reader with excellent recall, and was a fount of information on all things transportation related. Howard retired in November 2016, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He fought a long hard battle, outliving most people with that diagnosis. Howard is survived by his wife, Cynthia S. Grant; daughter, Laura E. Hollinger, MD of Charleston, SC and son David R. Hollinger of Austin, TX; and sister, Pam Hughes, RN and husband Larry Hughes of Crawford, CO. A Gone West Celebration will be held on Saturday, 9/29/18, from 2-4pm at Burg Lake Aero Airport (30TX), 95 Pecan Springs Lane, Stonewall, TX 78671. Memorial donations to either of the following organizations will be appreciated by the family: Air Power Museum, 22001 Bluegrass Rd., Ottumwa, IA 52501-8569. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 200, Manhattan Beach, CA.