Russell Holecek

Russell J. Holecek, born November 14, 1932, in Lewistown, Montana, died December 14, 2013. He was the son of Joseph Francis Holecek and Mamie Salamoun Holecek. A memorial service to celebrate Russ' life will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 3700 Baseline Rd. Boulder, on Friday, December 20, 2013, at 11am. A reception will follow. After obtaining a Masters of Science with honors in Chemical Engineering from Montana State College (now Montana State University) in 1955, Russ began what became a successful 36-year career with Shell Oil Research in various locations across the U.S., including California, New York, and Houston, Texas. He was a longtime member of American Chemical Society, among other professional organizations. After he retired, Russ and his wife Mary moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he followed his passions for the outdoors and volunteering. From childhood onward, Russ enjoyed being in nature, especially skiing, hiking, boating, and fishing. He loved designing and building, and his creations included everything from model airplanes to furniture to houses. He spent many hours volunteering his time and expertise with the Flatirons Habitat for Humanity and the Poorman Fire Department, and was always pleased to be able to help haul a neighbor's car out of a snow bank during a blizzard. Russ also enjoyed spending time with his family. He and his wife traveled to several new countries to visit their children throughout the years, and were very pleased when both relocated to Colorado where he could see his grandchildren frequently. Together with Mary, Russ continued to explore new ideas and places during his retirement years, visiting their many friends all over the world, hosting reunion groups and university speakers, and sampling local cultural events. Russ' quiet strength, keenness of mind, and ever-present kindness will be missed by his wife Mary Campbell Holecek; daughter Amy Catherine Holecek (husband Gregory Holecek, daughters Annika and Maren); son John Campbell Holecek (wife Makela Mangrich and daughter Ruth); sister Marjorie Graves; and sisters-in-law Martha Keith and Linda Campbell. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in his name to Flatirons Habitat for Humanity 1455 Dixon Ave. Suite 210 Lafayette, Colorado 80026 info@flatironshabitat.org or Montana State Alumni Foundation, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering 1501 South 11th Avenue Bozeman, MT 59717-2750 or foundation.montana.edu.