Richard Earl Holman MD

Richard E. Holman MD

1/21/31 - 8/14/25

Richard Earl Holman was called away for his final tee time in Centennial, CO on August 14. He was born in Memphis, TN, the fourth child of Elmo and Annette. He did many jobs from an early age, including mopping the cafeteria floor at lunchtime to pay for tuition at Christian Brothers High School. He was also a window dresser in a department store, where he learned important lessons such as “Show up and shut up.”

After studying chemistry and mathematics at Memphis State he worked as a chemist for DuPont for 2 1/2 years. He volunteered for the Army in 1955 and served two years. A chemist in the Scientific and Professional Personnel Unit, he was a private but had top-secret clearance and enjoyed going to high-level parties.

His Army service enabled him to get the GI Bill, without which he could not have gone to medical school. After graduation from University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1960, he went to the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond for residency. He practiced general medicine for a year in the coal fields of Virginia, then moved to Denver in 1964 for postdoctoral training in the new medical specialty, nephrology.

He was the original Denver Nephrologist, starting the first private practice in Colorado in 1966. He worked with valued partners and amazing nurses as the years went on and opened numerous dialysis centers. He just loved doctoring. Even in his final days, as he reflected on his life he was brought to tears by how much it meant to him to care for people.

During his medical training he met and married Janet Page Light. Through their 60 years of marriage they were a model of deep love, respect, and kindness. Their humor and obvious delight in each other were a joy to see. He was the proud and abundantly loving father of Randy Earl (Heather), Elizabeth Page (Diane), and Jeffrey Richard (Theresa).

He cherished his siblings, family by marriage (in-laws and the “outlaws”) and his many nieces and nephews: Cynthia, Lisa and Marcy; Linda, Jeff and Patti; Andrew and Peter; Alex and David; Margaux and Morgan; and Sarah and Asher. He is predeceased by his parents and his siblings Charles, Anne, and Cecil.

Having come from challenging beginnings he lived his life with kindness and generosity, taking the role of father to many, whether related by blood or affection. He relished finding opportunities to be generous to friends, family, and anyone who crossed his path. His gratitude for the GI Bill led him and Jan to found a scholarship at University of Tennessee Medical School, which has sent 10 physicians into the world and continues to do so.

Richard’s favorite pastimes included fast cars, bird hunting, and golf. He was a longtime member of the Denver Clinical & Pathological Society and the Denver Country Club, plus the Mile High Duck Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the Evans Scholars Foundation.

The family thanks the staff and residents of Holly Creek; Gentiva Hospice; and angel caregiver Souad of Dignity First.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver (Donate - Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver ) or the Dr. And Mrs. Richard Holman Merit Scholarship Endowment, UT Foundation, 62 South Dunlap, Suite 500, Memphis, TN 38163.

A Celebration of Life will be held September 13 at 11:00 at the Denver Country Club, 1700 E. First Ave., Denver CO 80218.

Livestream Link Coming Soon

The family welcome you to join us as we celebrate this extraordinary and much-loved man.