Robert (Bob, Bobby) Garrard Holt

Robert (Bob, Bobby) Garrard Holt passed away on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. He was born Sept. 22, 1948 in New York City to Bob and Luvenia Holt, but he moved to Dallas, Texas in 1953 where he grew up proudly as a Texan, together with his much-loved brothers John and Jim and his favorite sister, Janice “Bula” Fuller, who always gave her brother extra love, kept him well supplied with treats (especially his favorite coconut cream pies), and always kept him smiling. 

Bob was a man of outstanding kindness, integrity, and faith. He lived by example, and he set a wonderful example to follow. The best way to honor his life is to remember what he loved.

Bob loved his family. His heart belonged to Cece, his wife of 48 years. He told her he loved her every day, and their love for each other was evident in all they did, from trekking 500 miles on the Santiago de Campostela pilgrimage to supporting each other through his final disease. Together, they lived in Iceland, Utah, Montana, and back to Utah, and their marriage set a model of love, commitment, and service that we know has had an impact on so many. Together, they raised four kids, Keri (Maddog), Robby (Bud), Tricia (Dish), and Becky (Bebop). Through their love, we all had so much fun together. As those who know us know, the Holt family liked nothing better than packing the whole family into small spaces for adventures (cars, tents, pop-up campers, single motel rooms, and even a little Cessna airplane that we eventually got too big to cram into). All of us looked up to our Dad, who always left room in our family adventures for us to explore and figure things out on our own. He taught us to be independent, without forgetting to think of others, and our tight-knit adventures often involved visiting family. Bob was a caring and supportive uncle and godfather to many, and he felt such happiness as his family grew to include Cameron Johnson, Dave Shaw, and Mark Roark. He loved being Papa to his wonderful grandchildren, Claire, Harrison, and Dylan Shaw and Wallace and Eliza Johnson. His love will always be at the center of our family.

Bob also loved his friends. He has so many friends, from his time at the US Air Force Academy (Squadrons 30 and 21) and throughout his military career as a helicopter pilot in the Air Force and Army National Guard. He also made many friends through his involvement with his kids’ sports and activities at J.E. Cosgriff and Judge Memorial Catholic High School, especially Boy Scout Troop 202. His closest group of friends were those he made with Cece from the parish of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and his work with the Good Samaritan program, all of whom he saw as family.  

Bob loved the outdoors. He was always happiest when he was headed to do something outside—hiking, camping, skiing, and, especially biking. He took so many of us camping all over the west, and he could organize one hell of a backpacking trip (complete with his signature chocolate chip cake). His favorite activity, though, was cycling, and he biked all over Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. He once completed twelve century rides in a single year and met his dream of riding across Iowa in the RAGBRAI and biking through the Texas hill country. He shared his love of cycling with all of us. We often joined him on his rides, with Cece driving the family sag wagon, and those trips are special memories because they allowed us to spend time together, sharing what he loved.

His love of the outdoors was closely linked to his career, including his work in natural resource law and role as an administrative law judge with the Dept. of Interior. He was happiest during the years when he worked in Montana, where he drove his truck throughout the state to hear probate cases at tribal headquarters, as well as traveling through Alaska to hear cases in the Northwest Arctic Borough where he delighted in seeing the Northern Lights. 

Bob also loved to fly. He was a proud graduate of the US Air Force Academy (Class of 1970). After graduation, he trained to fly helicopters, starting out at Hill Air Force base where he first discovered Utah and decided that he wanted to come back and live here one day. During his Air Force career, he flew the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant in support of the Skylab mission and as part of a Rescue and Recovery squadron based in Keflavik, Iceland.  Once he moved to Utah he transferred to the Army National Guard where he flew the UH-1 Huey, the OH-6 Loach, as well as the AH-64 Apache. While in the National Guard he flew with the 19th Special Forces Group. He also served as commander of the 1^st Battalion, 211^th Aviation Regiment and oversaw their transition to the Apache.  He concluded his military career when he took command of the full 211^th Aviation Group, retiring as a Colonel. Bob took great pride in his military service and, throughout his life, he was deeply committed to the values he learned at the Academy, “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.”  

Bob was also a man of faith. He loved God, and he loved the community he found growing up in the Church of Christ and, later, in the Catholic church. His faith supported him through all the challenges he faced in his life, and his faith always brought him peace and comfort. His favorite psalm was Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,” and he always trusted God to take care of him. We know he is in God’s hands now.  

Bob’s favorite place in the world was the cabin he built in Custer county, Colorado, near the town of Westcliffe. He bought the land after he graduated from the Academy, and he often took us out there to go camping as a family.  After he retired, he carried out his dream of building a little log cabin there, where he spent some of the happiest times in the final years of his life. He loved watching the sunsets over the Sangre de Cristo mountains and sitting on the porch at night to look at the stars. We know he will always be with us, but we will also feel especially close to him whenever we are there.

We close with a list of a few other things that Bob loved….Spain, pecan pie, buckets of movie theater popcorn, calculator watches, old time radio shows, short wave radio, minor league baseball (especially the Trappers, Bees, and Billings Mustangs), Big Bang Theory, Lava Hot Springs, Neil Diamond, playing the drums, the Dallas Cowboys, cinnamon rolls, restoring his 1972 Volvo with his kids, his weather station, any western involving John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart, Casablanca, milkshakes from Millie’s and the raspberry shakes at Bear Lake, suitcases and bags, checklists, and any kind of camping or biking gear, Civil War history and any history involving old forts, battles, or even skirmishes in the West. He had so much that he loved, and, unconditionally, he gave us all of his love. To quote Don Williams, we were truly loved by the best.   

A vigil will be held on Tuesday, February 15th at 7:00pm at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 East South Temple, Salt Lake City.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 16th at 12:30pm, also at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Ave & “T” Street, Salt Lake City. Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor.  

In lieu of flowers we request donations to the Catholic Foundation of Utah for the Robert and Cece Holt Endowment for the Cathedral of the Madeline, 27 C Street SLC UT 84103: https://www.dioslc.org/foundation or the Good Samaritan Program at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple, SLC UT 84111: https://utcotm.org/support-us/gsp-good-samaritan-program