ForeverMissed
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His Life
September 15, 2015

                                                  Colonel Marvin Keith Hollenbeck

     Colonel M. Keith Hollenbeck, esteemed son of Homer H. Hollenbeck and Dorothy Rankin Hollenbeck, passed away on August 19, 2015, at the age of 93.  A native Kansan, he attended Jetmore High School and Kansas State University, Pittsburg.  He took great pride in his 22 year career as a highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer.  His military career accomplishments are enshrined at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial and at the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park.

    Among the highlights of his distinguished military service are:  landing the first aircraft on Iwo Jima delivering two and one half tons of critically needed mortar ammunition; serving as the personal pilot of the Marine Corps Commandant; flying over 70 missions to China immediately following WW II; and, leading numerous air transport convoys over the Pacific without ever losing one convoy aircraft.  His military decorations included:  3 prestigious  Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medal with 1 silver star and 3 gold stars, American Campaign Medal with 3 stars, WW II Victory Medal, National Defense Service with 1 star, Korean Service with 2 stars, among numerous other citations.

    Following Col. Hollenbeck's military service he was the Contracts Manager for onetime aerospace giant Rohr Aircraft Corp. He also was a commercial and residential real estate broker.

    Upon retirement, he and his loving wife, Jean Rohr Hollenbeck, maintained their home in La Jolla, Calif., as a winter residence and spent summers hunting and fishing in British Columbia and Ketchikan, Alaska, setting local records catching king salmon and halibut.  He and Jean took great pleasure teaching their family to hunt and fish and to develop an enduring appreciation for the outdoors.

    Heeding the admonition about idle hands, he was a "can do" renaissance man who never stopped using his unique abilities.  He was an avid hobbyist who was awarded the coveted Jaguar Award by the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society.  He applied his talents to everything from cabin cruiser boats to a two story log cabin to grandfather clocks.  His artisanship was consistently master craftsman quality and included a wide variety of disciplines:  jewelry, electronics, mechanics, metallurgy, carpentry, leather work, and lapidary.  Every Christmas the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren could look forward to specially carved wooden toys, and then anxiously awaited gorgeously handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, bolo ties, chains and pendants.  He saw a wooden moose which dispensed chocolate truffles in Alaska and went home and built similar ones as presents for all the children.

    Col. Hollenbeck was active in his community by supporting and participating in activities and organizations including:  the American Legion, the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Reuben H. Fleet Museum, the Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation, San Diego Zoo Aarvarks Club, the Al Bahr Shriners, the Miramar & Gillespie Field Air Shows, and, the Masonic Lodge where he was a 32nd Degree Mason.  He and his dear friend and fundraising partner, Dr. Herman Froeb, raised literally thousands of dollars for the American Legion for needy San Diego school children.

    Although he led an active, exciting, adventurous and full life, Col. Hollenbeck's primary focus and mission was to support and encourage his family who will sorely miss his loving affection. He was a staunch patriot dedicated to true Marine values and:  honor, courage, discipline, character, integrity, loyalty, generosity, craftsmanship, and, community and patriotic service.  He was always willing to share a kind, thoughtful word and a good joke.  To spend time with Grandpa Keith was to be in the presence of greatness and he will live on in the hearts of his family and many friends forever. 

     His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He is survived by his children: Ruth Elaine Sternlight, M. Keith Hollenbeck, Jr., and Mark Alexander Hollenbeck; and, his step children:   Hap Rohr Ferris, Jennifer Ferris Luther, John Rohr Ferris, and, Shirley Ferris Gresham; 6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, and 7 step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mrs. Charles (Cleo) Craig and was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 38 years, Jean Rohr Hollenbeck, and his beloved sister Mrs. Ralph (Lorraine) Stum.

    Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to:  Veteran's Museum and Memorial Center, San Diego, c/o Sheldon Margolis, Executive Director, 2115 Park Blvd. San Diego, Ca. 92101; the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, P.O. Box 502408, San Diego, 92150; and, the Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 45316, MCAS Miramar, San Diego, 92145.

   I know I & so many others will be a living legacy to what my dear, dear father stood for.  Some of the many things he patiently, but firmly taught me include:

*God, family & country, learn as much as you can about each & be true to each as God gives you the grace, ability, & opportunity to serve these most cherished priorities

*Humor is not only healthy but also blesses others

*Be resourceful & don't be afraid to try new things, you get a great deal more accomplished that way

*Vigor & industriousness & the necessary amount of pluck cannot be emphasized enough

*Fight the good fight, it's always worth it, character counts

*Do the right thing, it's nice to be thanked, but virtue is its own reward

*Honor the sacrifices of others & always be willing & available to do your part

*Be generous & kind, God himself is thusly honored & pleased

*Pay it forward, it's the right way to proceed

*Don't forget the needy, there but for the grace of God go I

*Appreciate the outdoors:  take a walk, sail out to sea, plant, tend, harvest, explore, take a picture, go on a road trip, fly a plane, have a picnic, go to the park, & the zoo, go to an air show, share the outdoors with others, be thankful for God's creation

*Don't be wasteful & give more than you receive - change someone else's tire, buy a hobo a cup of coffee, pick up a hitchhiker if it seems safe to do so, build a house, fix an anchor, make a hifi system, make some gifts, share a joke, be thoughtful, help others to learn how to help themselves & teach them to fish so they can fish thenceforth

*When setbacks arise, dust yourself off, adjust your goals & plans, steady the ship & sail on to the next challenge & adventure

*Spare the rod, spoil the child

*Rise to the occasion, do your duty

*Fly, sail on wings of eagles

*Visit & support museums & memorials

*Learn more & you can be so much more useful to not only yourself but to so many others

*Working with others can be very instructive in some most unexpected & gratifying ways

*Focus on the positive & make a difference by being a "can do" person

*Stand up to bullies & develop a sense of chivalry, honor & backbone

*Maintain good tools & learn how to masterfully employ them,  you never know when, where, & how you might use them

*God has blessed this country in a mighty way & we should protect it , build it, support it, & preserve its timeless principles

*Pets are great company

*Pay attention to detail

*Hobbies are great to have & to employ to a high degree of excellence

*There is no substitute for high expectations

*Sometimes you just have to trust your heart & your gut. Time is of the essence. He who hesitates fails

*But don't forget to look before you leap!!

*Abraham Lincoln wasn't always the most popular one, but he was always a good guy & he was one of the greatest examples of charity, backbone, perserverance, and self-improvement.  He truly exemplified American exceptionalism. He was a man acquainted with our sorrows, a tireless worker for the good & for Union, with a sense of a future worth living. That future was paid for by men & women such as yourselves & my Dad. The sacrifices were great indeed.

   My father, Col. Marvin Keith Hollenbeck, was so proud of his U.S. Marine Corps service. And just as I believe God raised up this proud nation, I also beiieve in the Cosmos & God's plan. In so many ways, I believe we are God's hands & feet & I am so very grateful to my Dad & for so many of the men & women here & for the ones who passed before,  of their proud service from the greatest generation that fought for & prevailed in a war that had to be won. In addition, I cannot thank my Dad enough for his love, thoughtfulness, generosity, humor, ethics, honor, selflessness, courage, work-ethic, godliness, worthwhile maxims to live by, & his no-nonsense practical approach to life.  He was a lover of life & a true difference maker who changed my & so many others' hearts for the better.  May his life & legacy be honored & cherished forever. My father was my shining example of what it means to be a man of honor. He loved his God, his family & his country & was a truly humble man who in his genuine humility was a truly great one as well.  Even as I mourn the loss of my father, I'm reminded of so many reasons that each of us should be eternally grateful & should count our blessings in a deeper way and more often.  May our Father in heaven continue to bless us & these United States & for a future worth living.

   On behalf of the family, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to:  retired Major General Bob Butcher, Chaplain ________________, Commander Chuck Sweeney, Dr. Herman Froeb, MCAS Miramar & the Officer's Club staff, & each & every one of you for coming here today, participating in & taking the time to share & to honor my Dad, some of you coming from across the continent because you cared.  It would mean a lot to my Dad and the family if you would be so bold as to share a story or anecdote about Dad at this time. A thousand thanks & again, please share.