Steven Erik Holland passed away on Jan.19, 2020, following a courageous battle with Lewy Body Disease with Parkinsonian Symptoms. Steve was born in Granite Falls, Minn., on Aug. 8, 1949, to Rev. Eugene and Virginia Holland. After the birth of his brother, James, the family first moved to Grand Meadow, Minn., and then to Fremont, Calif., in 1960. Steve returned to the Midwest to attend Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, graduating with a double major in Scandinavian Studies and History. While at Luther, Steve met his wife, Laurel Lynn (Jameson) Holland ‘71. After graduation and their marriage, they returned to reside in Fremont, Calif., where their two sons, Erik Robert and Reuben Eugene, were born.
Steve began his career with Delta Dental of California serving in a variety of management roles. The family returned to the Midwest in 1981 when Steve took a position with Delta Dental of Illinois in Chicago for two years, or as Steve was fond to say “23 months, 2 weeks and 4 days.” Returning to California Steve again worked for Delta Dental of California, and the family settled in Kensington. Steve left Delta Dental in 1989 to become an independent insurance broker as a partner with Fidelity Insurance Service in Berkeley. Eventually, Steve became President and sole owner of Fidelity, a position he held until his retirement. When asked later in his life what he did for a living, his response was “I got people to say ‘yes’.”
Steve was very active in the community outside of work, taking time to coach his son’s Little League teams. He was Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 100 leading numerous backpacking trips to the Grand Canyon, Philmont Boy Scout Camp and the high Sierras. From these experiences the family was fond of quoting him as saying “We’re almost there” and “The worst is over.” Steve was active in his church serving many roles at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the Berkeley Rotary Club, and served as President in 1995-96. While President of the Rotary club, Steve became associated with the Heart to Heart Global Cardiac Care, and served on their board for over 15 years. During Steve’s tenure on that Board it was noted over 15,000 children’s lives were saved. Supporting his lifelong interest in opera, Steve served on the Board for the West Edge Opera Company. Further supporting the community, Steve was on the Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation/Better Health East Bay Board. Steve was often seen driving to these group’s meetings in his 1970 red convertible VW Bug.
In his spare time, Steve loved to travel with his wife especially by train or on tandem bicycle trips. Train trips covered the United States as well as Thailand, Taiwan, Russia and most European countries. Steve and his wife completed multiple tandem trips often a combination of cycling and small cruise ships. These rides included along the Mississippi River, the Danube from Germany to Ukraine, the Mediterranean Coast from Barcelona to Lisbon, Rhine/Moselle rivers from Paris to Amsterdam, and through the islands of Croatia. Additionally, Steve enjoyed vacationing at the family’s second home in Palm Springs taking multiple trips every year. Steve particularly enjoyed when these trips included large family gatherings.
Steve is survived by his wife, Laurel “Laurie” Lynn (Jameson) Holland ‘71, sons Erik Holland ‘99 (Briana (Elfstrom) Holland ‘00), and Reuben Holland ’01, as well as his brother, James (Randi) Holland, sister’s-in-law, Debbie Pope, Sara (Laurie Blake) Jameson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration of his life was held Feb. 22, 2020, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Berkeley. The family requests memorial donations be made to one of the following:
Heart to Heart Global Cardiac Care https://www.heart-2-heart.org/ or The Berkeley Rotary Endowment Fund http://berkeleyrotary.org/donate-berkeley-rotary-endowment.php.