Robert Glenn Holly

Robert Glenn (Bob) Holly passed away peacefully at home on 9/10/25, surrounded by family. Bob lived a grateful life of love, learning and adventure. It all began on 24 May 1944, in Temple, Texas, where he was born to Lt. James F. (Jim) and Margaret B. (Peg) Holly. Jim was stationed in England at the time and Peg was essentially a single mom for Bob’s first year.

Bob was an Army brat, as were many other children of that generation, moving over a dozen times before high school. His first memories are of the adventure of an Atlantic crossing and numerous inoculations as his family moved to Germany for the post-war occupation at age 3. His memories were of adventure, European travel, the circus (which set up across the street from his apartment each summer), and the Heidelberg schloss (castle) which he could see lighted each night from his bedroom window.

Between the years in Germany and the start of high school in St. Paul MN, there were many moves on and off Army Posts, many friends gained then lost, many sports played and many adventures. Bob believed that the 1950’s were the best time to be a kid, as your parents never worried about you unless you did not come home for dinner. After many moves, the addition of a kid brother, J. Michael (Mike) Holly, and a job change for his dad, Bob arrived in St. Paul MN, which he always considered home (go Vikes, unless they are playing the 9’ers). There Bob graduated from both high school and college and made most of his life-long friends.

After graduating from Macalester College with a degree in Math-Physics and beginning graduate school at the University of Minnesota in Geophysics, Bob spent the summer of ’66 working in a machine factory in Germany and touring Europe on a motorcycle with a friend. That summer of adventure convinced Bob he was not ready to settle down to grad school and he decided to join the Navy to “see the world” in 1967.

Bob served aboard the nuclear submarine, USS Barb (SSN 596), following sub school, nuclear power school and training at the nuclear power training unit, serving as Communications Officer, Sonar Officer and Maneuvering Room Officer in Charge. Operating out of Pearl Harbor Hawaii, the USS Barb performed several classified missions, including a tour of the Western Pacific (Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong and Guam). Bob “graduated” from the Navy as a Lieutenant early in 1967 and spent the rest of that year sailing around the Hawaiian Islands in his Cal 20, fostering a love of the Islands that brought him and his future family back there many times.

In 1972, Bob began his graduate studies at UCDavis in the Graduate Group in Physiology, researching muscle growth and development and receiving his Ph.D. in 1979. During these years he met and married his lovely wife of 50+ years, Irene Tachovsky, who joined him on many adventures in the Sierras and on the rivers and lakes of the surrounding area. Following graduation, Bob accepted the position of Associate Director of the Clinical Exercise Program at the Pritikin Longevity Center in Santa Monica CA. Building on this experience, he returned to UCDavis in 1981 to accept a lectureship position in the (then) Physical Education Department and direct the Adult Fitness and CardioPulmonary Rehabilitation Programs. While he enjoyed the clinical aspects of these programs and their related research opportunities, his real passion was in teaching and advising. He felt privileged to be involved in the education of both his graduate and undergraduate students. In 1994 he received the “Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year” award from the College of Letters and Sciences. He retired in 2008 as a Sr. Lecturer.

1981 was also a rewarding year for another reason, as Bob and Irene welcomed twin daughters, Jessica and Mikaela into their family. Family was at the heart of Bob’s life, and Bob proved to be a devoted father, sharing many adventures with his family, including skiing, backpacking, boating and water skiing among others. He became an avid volleyball fan as his daughters played the sport from jr. high through college. He shared his joie de vie and love of science with his girls and considered himself lucky to have had the opportunity to teach them in several of his classes at UCDavis. (For once they had to listen to him.) They shared his love of learning. Bob passed away as a grateful man with a satisfied mind.

Bob is predeceased by his mother, Peg, and father, Jim. He is survived by his wife, Irene and their children, Mikaela Burnham (husband, Kevin and son, Luke), and Jessica Holly (partner, Nathan Trueblood and daughter, Lauren), his brother Mike Holly (wife, Meripat), and brother-in-law John Tachovsky (wife Barbara), as well as multiple nieces and nephews.