Rick’s family moved from Nebraska, to Texas, to Massachuttes as his father furthered his education as a physician specializing in psychiatry. Rick’s family eventually settled in Northampton, Massachusetts, where Rick would graduate from high school. He then enrolled at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where he would become a third generation graduate. Rick graduated with a major in Zoology and would eventually earn his doctorate in Freshwater Ecology. He did postdoctoral work at UNL teaching classes, while conducting research. Rick would eventually spend the rest of his career as an Assistant Division Administrator in charge of fisheries research for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He served as an adjunct graduate faculty member for the UNL School of Natural Resources sitting on many graduate study committees. He taught, trained, and mentored many who eventually would become professional fishery biologists and environmental scientists. Rick received The Golden Pillar Award from the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. This award was symbolized with a wooden zooplankton model, hand-carved by longtime NGPC Fish Chief Don Gabelhouse. He also was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (NEAFS) in 1990 and the Award of Excellence from NEAFS in 2020.
Rick met his future wife, Kathy High, while attending UNL. They were married July 15th, 1978 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, NE. They created a home in Lincoln, NE where they both worked and raised their two daughters, Sara and Alissa. While raising his children, Rick shared his time as a volunteer coach, official for the YMCA Spirit Soccer Program, supporting his daughters in both their sports careers and school activities. This would continue as he followed both of his daughters’ collegiate sports careers and post-college coaching for his oldest daughter Sara.
Those left to cherish his memory: his wife Kathy and his two daughters; Sara Fjell and her husband Adam of Elkhorn, and Alissa Hinz and her husband Nick of Omaha; 3 grandchildren Braylon and Avery Fjell, Addilynn Hinz and ‘soon to be’ baby sister Hinz; his brother Bob and his sisters Joan and Patti Holland of Chapel Hill, NC; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Rick Holland will be remembered for the love he shared for his family, his passion for fisheries and wildlife, his love of reading, enjoying movies with his daughters, and his enthusiasm for sports.
Visitation will be Thursday May 2 from 5 -7 p.m. at Roper and Sons, 4300 O St. The graveside service will be conducted on Friday, May 3 at 9:30 at Wyuka Cemetery with an 11:00 Celebration of Life at Friedens Lutheran Church, 540 D St. The service will be live streamed on the Frieden’s Facebook page.
Memorials are kindly suggested to The Kearney Area Community Foundation, designated to Nebraska Fishing Activities Fund (Family Fishing Program) or YMCA of Lincoln designated to YMCA Youth Sports – financial support for youth access.