Like an Aging Wine

My Dad was like an aging wine Doing the right thing all of the time I hear about corruption I hear about evil But when I think of my father I think only virtue   My father was like an aging wine Getting better and wiser all of the time I hear about evil I hear about injustice I hear about crime But my Dad was a hero All of the time

RIP

His business was facts

Engineering real virtue

He left the world better

For all that he did

No games, nothing underhanded

What you saw is what you got.

 

No better man, no finer man

Could ever anyone find

He grew wiser.

He grew stronger

Like a fine aging wine

 

Never a complaint

Never a whine

He sailed the seas of life

Steady in calm, or stormy winds.

In this universe he was the best

I suppose the ineffable one took a sip

 

He woke up quietly this morning

Not to disturb Mom

He made his hot chocolate

And set it by his chair.

But before he could drink it

The ineffable one took him.

My father was like a fine wine

Aging sweeter all the time.

When the ineffable one saw it was his time.

The Creator of Space and Time, took a sip.

 

Christopher H. Holte, March 4, 2017

My Mom and Dad:

Sally Anne Holte, Hartley Olivar Holte

Sign his Obituary: http://www.beyersfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/2875801/Holte-Hartley/obituary.php

Text From his Obituary:

Hartley O. Holte of Leesburg, Florida died on March 4, 2017 at home in Leesburg, Florida. He was the son of Hartley M. and Mabel K. Holte (nee LaDoucre) of Minnesota and Iowa.

"Mr. Holte was born in Iowa City, Iowa in1933. He attended elementary schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from high school in Seattle, WA., where he was on the Honor Roll, was an undefeated member of his city championship tennis team, and played cello in the orchestra. He entered the Naval Academy with the class of 1955 under a Congressional appointment and played both plebe and varsity tennis. He married the former Sally Ann Carpenter on graduation day, June 3rd. He spent 7 years on active duty as a line officer, including 5 years’ sea duty out of Long Beach, CA in Mansfield (DD728) and Navasota (AO106) with final assignments in both ships as Operations Officer. Pacific operations included the atomic test series at Eniwetok/ Bikini, and the Chinese conflict at Quemoy and Matsu Is. Following 2 years as a Technical Liaison Officer with the Defense Atomic Support Agency in Albuquerque, NM, he resigned his commission and worked for 5 years at Westinghouse on Air Force Dew Line Radar Systems and Navy undersea vehicle and weapons systems R&D. He completed a Master’s Degree program in Management at George Washington U. in 1967 and began a 24 year career with Vitro Corp.. Assignments included; Polaris program, Mallard Army Tactical Communications, USEPA, DOE’s National Solar Data System, and Program Management at field offices in Dahlgren, VA and Crane, IN."

"Following his first retirement, he became a volunteer and consultant in environmental sciences at state and local levels in Indiana, for which he was presented the Governor’s Award for individual achievement. Throughout his life, he was an active coach and player in tennis, basketball, softball, and golf. He was active in local politics, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Red Cross, Civic Associations, Chambers of Commerce, and Navy League. He was a life member of the USNA Alumni Assc., the Navy League, and the Naval Institute. He was an avid stamp collector, amateur guitarist, served as a part time writer for a local IN newspaper, and, with his wife, provided interim foster care home services, for which they were honored by the Maryland State Legislature. He had been active with his USNA Class of 1955 as class secretary and as editor of his class “50 Years Later” History book."

"He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Sally daughters, Katherine Ann Spitznogle of Davis, West Virginia, Susan Marie Holte of Stafford, Virginia, sons, Christopher Hartley Holte of Brunswick, Maryland, Carl Truman Holte (USNA 1985) of Sprague, Connecticut, 10 grandchildren, four great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren and their families. He was predeceased by his beloved son Andrew Edward Holte of Bloomington, Indiana."

"Hartley will be forever remembered for his offbeat sense of "Holte" humor and his gentle soul. His life's achievements are vast and could take up a book, but in his words; his greatest achievement was his children. Inurnment at the USNA Columbarium will be held at a later date."

Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, FL