John Robert Holsinger, 84, of Chesterfield passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at The Memory Care Center of Richmond.
He was born on April 6, 1934 in Harrisonburg and was the son of the late John “Welty” and Beulah Whissen Holsinger.
John was baptized into The Church of the Brethren. He often looked back fondly on the memories of his happy young life in Harrisonburg. After graduating from Dayton High School in 1951, he attended VPI in a rigorous understudy program, service in the Corps of Cadets and a member of the Hokie Cheerleading Squad. Following graduation in 1955, John pursued graduate studies at George Washington, James Madison and Kentucky Universities, earning a Master of Science and ultimately awarded a Doctor of Biology in 1966. Formal education led to Service to the Nation as an Enlisted Service Member in the Army Security Services where John served in the Pacific Theater, achieving the rank of Specialist 4th Class. After completion of his military service, John began what would be his lifelong passion for teaching others. He taught Biological and Earth Sciences in Fairfax County, Va. Public Schools and then became a Professor of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University where he secured the titles of Eminent Scholar Emeritus and Professor Emeritus. In addition to his work at ODU, John was a research associate for the Department of Invertebrate Zoology for National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
Dr. Holsinger’s published works are too numerous to cite in this abbreviated format, however, John was internationally known for his lifetime work in the study and conservation of cave habitats. Through this effort, he touched so many lives, taught countless students, discovered and described numerous species and literally wrote the book on Caves in Virginia. He was a pioneer in the field of Amphipod Taxonomy. Upon his retirement in 2017, his life works were dedicated to the Smithsonian Archives so other scholars could benefit from discoveries and observations.
John is survived by his wife Linda Bogan Holsinger of Norfolk, Va; step children, Charmaine Villa-Lobos, Robert Villalobos, Rebecca Villa-Lobos Davatelis, Danielle Villa-Lobos Hicks and nine step grandchildren; extended family of Kathy Hilbert, niece, J. Steven Hilbert, nephew, and great nephew, Hunter Hilbert all of Rockingham County, Va.
He is preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law: Mary Ann and John Hilbert and a nephew, Gary Hilbert.
The family will receive friends 12-1 pm, on Monday, November 19, 2018 at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. A funeral service will follow at 1 pm. Burial will be at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage: 600 E. Main Street, 24th Floor, Richmond, Va. 23219. Please make checks payable to the Virginia Natural Area Preservation Fund, and indicate "Holsinger Memorial" on your memo line.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.
