Henry Von Holt

Dr. Henry W. Von Holt, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully in Columbia on October 13, 2014, with his wife at his side. He was born on June 8, 1926, in Portland, Oregon, the son of Alice and Henry Von Holt, Sr. and brother of James Von Holt.

After graduating from high school in Portland, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944. He was training to be a pilot as World War II ended. After the war, he was honorably discharged and attended Reed College, thanks to the G.I. Bill, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1949. He went on to receive a master’s degree from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D from Clark University.

Education was a consuming interest of Dr. Von Holt’s throughout his life. Most recently he was a retired professor of psychology at Stephens College and former chair of the psychology department. He was previously a professor at Western Michigan University and the University of Oregon.

He married Lael Hunt Powers of Northborough, Massachusetts on September 18, 1954, and the happy couple just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Dr. Von Holt was a kind, compassionate, and witty husband, father, and grandfather. He will always be a model and inspiration for his family.

He was a loyal fan of the Missouri Tigers and St Louis Cardinals and was the best friend a dog could have. He owned several dogs over the years, most recently German shepherds Pepper and Silver.

He is survived by his wife Lael Von Holt, of Columbia, sons Gardner (wife Mary) of Chicago, Illinois; Dudley (wife Lisa) of St. Louis; Edward of Sweet Springs; granddaughters Julia of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Anna of the Rogue River Valley, Oregon; Catherine, currently in Nepal; sister-in-law Judy Stoddard (husband Don) of Worcester, Massachusetts; brother-in-law Merritt Powers (wife Barbara) of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; and numerous nieces and nephews in New England and the Northwest, all of whom he loved dearly.

Preceding Dr. Von Holt in death were his parents and brother.

Interment and a private remembrance service for the family will be at Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery.