May 31, 1943 – October 26, 2022
David Dwight Hollandsworth, 79, passed away peacefully the morning of Oct. 26, 2022, holding the hand of Susan, his wife and partner of 49 years.
David was born in Chehalis, Washington, on May 31, 1943, to Forest and Geraldine Hollandsworth. David’s early years were spent in a logging camp 18 miles east of Sutherlin, Oregon. With his older brother, Richard, and younger sister, Sheila, he was busy building rafts, treehouses, and forts, digging caves, and occasionally getting into a bit of mischief.
He took saxophone, piano and tap-dancing lessons, but none seemed to produce a great talent! David and Sheila decided to wax the bottom of their Masonite board used for a tapping practice. After slipping off the board and crashing into some rocks, tap dancing careers ended. However, David never forgot Shuffle Down Shuffle Down and taught the tap dance to his daughters many years later.
High school years were spent in Springfield/Eugene area where David graduated from Springfield High School in 1961. Following a tour of duty as MP in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis and Fairbanks, Alaska, with an honorable discharge in 1966, David spent a summer driving throughout Europe in a van with a couple of friends. After three months of adventures, home looked pretty good.
In 1970, David graduated from Southern Oregon College majoring in business. He met Susan Knapp while both were working on their Masters degrees at SOC. They were married in 1973.
Besides bartending during college at Ye Olde Pub in Ashland, David worked in the beer and wine industry many years for FLD Distributing and retired from Budweiser in 2000. After retirement David spent hours on the driving range and taught himself how to play golf. In 2006, David hit a hole-in-one with his driver at Oak Knoll Golf Course as witnessed by his golfing partner.
Friends and neighbors fondly remember the many barbecues and parties that David loved to host. We have wonderful memories of houseboating at Lake Shasta on Memorial Day weekends, Fourth of July parades, and teaching kids to swim and be safe around water. One trip on the houseboat involved a mama bear and cub lumbering just above where the kids were playing on the beach. None of us had ever seen David run so fast yelling and screaming for the kids to come now.
Most Sundays were spent playing tennis with good friends that often turned a bit competitive, but we kept it civil. Summers were filled with camping and trips to the coast. A favorite time was kite flying at Bandon Beach, usually resulting in David chasing a kite down the beach that escaped from Jill or Kerry’s hand.
David is survived by his wife, Susan, and daughters Kerry Hollandsworth and Jill Hamilton (Christian); grandchildren Luke, Sam, Jed and Isaac (Breanna) Hamilton; sister Sheila Fast (Don); and nephews Ryan Fast (Gail) Roman, Mo, Colton, Abigail, John, Ethan; Danny Fast (Darcie); niece Susan Burk (Cathy); brothers-in-law Richard Knapp (Carol) and Donald Knapp (Deborah); and extended family in Victoria, Canada, Melbourne, Australia and Tasmania. David’s brother, Richard Hollandsworth, and niece Linda Toycen preceded him in death.
Friends and neighbors remember David sharing tools, riding around the yard with his grandkids on his red lawn mower, his 1963 pick-up truck, building fences and helping with any projects that needed doing. David loved to dance around the kitchen to Proud Mary, Elvis, and Willie Nelson. Most importantly, he will be remembered for his kind and big heart, sense of humor, warm, inviting nature and love of people. We cherish these memories and miss our beloved father, husband, and friend. To honor David’s life, a May 20, 2023, celebration of a wonderful life is planned. A special thank-you to Dr. Peter Teichman, Providence Hospice, and Village at Valley View for caring for David with compassion and dignity.
“In one of the stars I shall be living; In one of them I shall be laughing … And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night.” — “The Little Prince”
Submit obituaries and photos via email to news@ashland.news. There is no charge (those wishing to make a donation supporting the Ashland.news service may do so here.)
