Richard Dale Holland

Richard “Rich” Dale Holland, 76, of Murrieta, CA, entered heaven on June 14, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. He was a reserved, but loving man, who enjoyed spending time with his family. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and would tell everyone about their accomplishments. Rich was born to Francis and Nora Holland in Vallejo, CA., on March 31, 1944. He graduated from Benicia High School in 1962 and went into the Navy later that year and served on the U.S.S Chicago during Vietnam as a MK-49 radarman. He was married to Jacqueline Nixon in 1965, and they lived together in Vallejo and Napa before moving to Murrieta in 1994. After the Navy, Rich went to work for NOSSOPAC/NAVSEACENPAC/FTSCPAC Fleet Support Office Mare Island providing technical assistance to all ships/Naval facilities on gun fire control systems, basic point defense, and NATO SeaSparrow Missile Systems (NSSMS). When the Mare Island office closed in 1994, he transferred to the main office in San Diego where he was the Department Head of NSSMS and he retired from there in 2001. Throughout his career he was considered the lead expert on the above-mentioned systems and received many commendations for his service. Rich was an avid fisherman and gardener in his younger years. He loved animals, especially his St. Bernard Bella. He enjoyed spending his days outside in his backyard watching the birds, reading the paper, listening to music, drinking coffee or wine, and smoking. He loved sports, especially the San Francisco Giants and 49ers and the Golden State Warriors. He loved nature and being out in it; hunting, fishing, and visiting national parks, which he passed on to his children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline (Nixon) Holland, his brother, Lyle Holland, his father, Francis Holland, and his mother, Nora Holland. Rich is survived by his sister, Kay Meyer; his children, Carleen (Kalim) Sawires, Rick (Maria) Holland and Jeffrey (Vicky) Holland; six grandchildren, Trevor, Nicole, Ashton, Ashley, Aiden and Dylan; and two step-grandchildren Nick and Jake. He was very loved and will be deeply missed. Family is not accepting flowers. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Association. The family is having a private scattering of his ashes in the ocean off San Diego on July 31st.