Obituary: Holmlund, Roy

HOLMLUND, Roy W.

Roy Walter Holmlund was born in Spokane on August 25, 1928.

His parents, both born in 1884, were Swedish immigrants.

His father, Nils Arthur Holmlund, arrived in Boston in 1902.

His mother, Ejdes Alida Theresia Nilsson, arrived at Ellis Island in 1903.

Roy grew up in Spokane with his older brother Arthur.

After attending Jefferson Elementary School, he went to Lewis and Clark High School, graduating in 1946.

Roy was active in student government, played in the band and orchestra, and was involved in many other activities at Lewis and Clark.

He was also an Eagle Scout.

He attended Stanford University along with Arthur.

At Stanford, Roy received degrees from the Mechanical Engineering School in 1950 and the Graduate School of Business in 1952.

Many of his lifelong friendships came from his days in high school and college.
Roy worked initially in the forest products industry on the Olympic Peninsula and in New York City.

He then changed careers, becoming a CPA in Spokane.

He moved to the Seattle area in 1975 when he became the financial officer of Pacific Propeller, Inc. until he retired in 1991.

During that time he lived on Puget Sound in the Three Tree Point area south of Seattle.
In retirement, Roy enjoyed living at his condo on the downtown Seattle waterfront.

He frequently visited his log cabin on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River in Idaho where he loved his time in the woods and the friendship of his neighbors.
Roy was a lifelong learner who enjoyed music, newspapers and books, cooking, boating, and traveling to many parts of the world.

He was an artist whose handcrafts included painting, drawing, weaving and woodworking.

He took great pleasure in his Swedish heritage and was very interested in Swedish culture.
In 2008, he moved to the Horizon House retirement community in Seattle where he led an active life, enjoying the woodshop and assisting with the music program.

He died there in his sleep on July 23, 2012.

Roy’s family appreciates the kindness of so many staff members during his years at Horizon House.
He was predeceased by his sister Virginia (1923), parents (Ejdes, 1968; Nils, 1979), and brother Arthur (1990).
Roy was deeply loved by his family.

His positive spirit and resilience were inspiring.

He had an inquisitive nature and love of learning, which he passed on to his family.

His wonderful zest for life, especially for someone in his 80s, will be long remembered by family and friends.
Roy’s family was very important to him.

His survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Kristine and Steve Walker of Spokane, and Ingrid Holmlund and David Thompson of Seattle.

He was very proud of his grandchildren, Blake and Karina Walker, and Julia and Joel Thompson.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law Helen Holmlund, niece and nephews Ann Holmlund, Neal Holmlund, and Eric Eislund and their families, as well as extended family living in Sweden.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St., Seattle, WA 98117.
At his request, a private graveside service will be held at the family burial plot in St. Maries, Idaho.