Dr. Charles R. Holden

Charles “Charlie” Riddle Holden, 73, passed away peacefully at his home on July 10, 2026.

Charlie was born on July 10, 1953, in Newark, Ohio, to James Tolman Holden and Martha Lou Riddle Holden. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, James T. Holden Jr.

Charlie was a proud graduate of Newark Senior High School. He continued his education at Franklin & Marshall College for his undergraduate studies and later earned his medical degree from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) School of Medicine.

Charlie dedicated more than 40 years of his life to caring for others as a general and vascular surgeon at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Throughout his career, he was known for his skill, compassion, and unwavering commitment to his patients. He also served as the Assistant Program Director for the hospital’s General Surgery Residency Program, where he enjoyed mentoring and training future surgeons.

Charlie is survived by his sister, Joan Thompson Holden; his children, Joshua (Chelsea) McKean Holden, Kathryn (Jacob) Elyse Hoyt, Ashley Nicole Holden, Alexander James Holden, and Jaimie Elizabeth Holden; and his four grandchildren, Benjamin, Finnegan, McKenna, and Lucas. He is also survived by many extended family members, friends, colleagues, and former patients whose lives were touched by his kindness and generosity.

Outside of medicine, Charlie loved traveling, golfing, enjoying fine wine, spending time with his dogs, and making memories with family and friends. He had a great sense of humor, always enjoyed sharing stories, and had a way of making those around him smile. Charlie will be remembered as a caring physician, a hardworking man, and a loving son, brother, father, and Grandad. His warmth, wisdom, and sense of humor will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the countless lives he impacted.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Charlie's memory to the Mount Carmel Foundation for the Graduate Medical Education Surgery Fund https://donor.mountcarmelfoundation.org/