(sophomore yearbook photo)

Richard George Holzinger

October 14, 1957 - March 2021

Born in Midland, Texas, October 14, 1957 to Richard James Holzinger “Jim” and Lucia DiRoma Holzinger “Lou”, Rick grew up a Shell Oil ‘brat’ between Texas, California, and Connecticut. He graduated Stratford High School (Houston) in 1975 as an All American swimmer and continued his swim career and studies at Harvard College, graduating in 1979. He then attended the University of Texas Law School graduating with honors in 1982 and began his career at Dewey Ballentine in NYC.

After a short stint practicing law, realizing his talents may lie elsewhere, Rick set off to travel the world. A year later reality set in and he returned to work as an investment banker with Paine Webber, Shearson Lehman and Banker’s Trust. Banking took Rick and his family to Hong Kong and Singapore where they spent over a decade. Rick ultimately found his way to the bond insurance business, where he enjoyed a long and successful career at FSA, FTI Consulting, and most recently as Head of Investor Relations for Build America Mutual Assurance Company, “BAM”. His career and life abroad fueled his fervent passion for travel and adventure. He generously served on the Greens Farms Academy Board (Westport, CT) and the Board of CIFG.

Rick married the love of his life, Sally Peters Holzinger, in 1993. Together they lived abroad, traveled the world, and collected art and countless friends.

Sally survives him along with his adoring children Hayley, Henry and Lucy; his cherished sisters, Jan Bres (WHS 1974) and Andrea (Mike) Durkin (WHS 1973); sisters-in-law, Carol Peters and Janet Cotten, brother-in-law David Peters, and nieces Kate, Meg, Savannah, Hope, Delaney, Elle & Chrissy. He is pre-deceased by his unforgettable parents, Jim and Lou, and his devoted brothers-in-law Tom Bres and Greg Cotten.

Rick was the handsomest, kindest, most curious guy, in every room on every continent, ‘always certain, seldom right’; his family, friends, and colleagues will never be the same without him. Everyone he met was swept up in his contagious joy for life and wanted to experience it with him. That twinkling eye and beautiful smile will be in our hearts forever. A memorial will be held early summer when we can all gather, gin in hand, sarongs tied, in true Rick fashion.

Donations in Rick’s memory can be made to: www.thebroachfoundation.org/donate, or www.mskcc.convio.net/goto/richardholzinger or https://give.rfcx.org/give/215237/#!/donation/checkout

Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 7, 2021.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=richard-holzinger&pid=197932180&fhid=9027