Holly Bach

Holly Bach passed away one month shy of his 99th birthday.  He was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Julianna McCallin Bach, in 2010.  Holly was born in Los Angeles, California, the eldest of two children to Vera Downe Bach and Hollis S. Bach.  He was raised by his grandparents, Katherine and Einar Bach, enjoying his summers in the high Sierras camping and fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying all the wonders that the Colorado mountains and trails provided.  He was also an amazing fisherman, more at peace casting a fishing line whenever he could than sitting at a desk.

Holly graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Denver. He had a long career with the federal government, living in New York, N.Y., Washington D.C., and Denver, CO. His career spanned from being a Senior Aid to the U.S. Postmaster General, to the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare for the Mountain States, to a federal investigator.  He served three years in the Army during World War II. He was the favorite dad, grandpa, uncle, and friend to all children, typically causing a ruckus with them, buying them ice cream before dinner, or taking them camping.

He is survived by his daughter, Bernadette Ristaino (John), grandchildren John Bach Ristaino (Jamie), Juliemarie Whitington (Steve), and Felicia Woods (Albert), and great grandchildren, Gianna Howell, Olivia and Vera Ristaino, and Palmer Hollis Woods, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and his good friends the Quarles family. He was predeceased by his brother, Raymond.  We also want to thank his caregivers at Castle Rock Home Care and Brighton Hospice for the incredible care and companionship they showed Holly over the past three years.

Donations in Hollis Bach’s memory may be made to:

Rocky Mountain Conservancy

P.O. Box 3100

Estes Park, CO 80517

www.rmconservancy.org