Russell W Holdych's Obituary
Holdych, Russell W. 92, of Sebring, Florida, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2018. He was born on March 19, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. He retired as a Vice President of Harris Trust & Savings Bank in Chicago on February 28, 1981 and moved to Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. He came to Sebring in June 2004. After retirement, he signed a two-year contract with the Harris Bank as a consultant to train MBA College Graduates for potential officer positions and he assisted their correspondent banks with any accounting or operation problems. He also registered with the Securities & Exchange commission in Washington, D.C. as a Registered Investment Advisor and had clients in seven states. He was President of the South Cook County Bankers Federation of Illinois in 1964-65. Russell served in the United States Army during World War II as a Forward Observer for 105mm howitzers in General George Patton’s Third Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, The European Theatre of Operations Medal with three major battle stars. He was proud of the Normandy Medal of Liberty from the French Government for participation in the D-Day invasion and four other military awards. He was also honored with inclusion in the National Purple Heart Hall “Roll of Honor” in New York State when the Museum was established in November 2006. He was inducted with the first groups. His military history is part of the permanent record at the Hall. He was a life member of the VFW and the Military Order of The Purple Heart. He was also a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Assn., the USGA, DAV and AARP. He was Treasurer of the Ridge Coin Club of Sebring for many years. After military service, he graduated from Morton Jr. College in Cicero, Illinois, majored in Civil Engineering at Michigan State and was an alumnus at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He was an avid golfer and made a hole-in-one on three occasions. While enjoying all sports, he lettered in Baseball, Basketball and golf. In 1962, he beat the World’s Champion Bowler in the Sun-Times BPA contest with a total score of 693 in Chicago. In May 2014 he received the Legion of Merit from the French Government to honor all U.S. Veterans who were wounded on their soil during WWII. He is survived by his son, Alan F. Holdych of Clearwater and daughter, Donna Lee of Sebring. He was pre-deceased by wife: Betty M. in January 2011, 79; sister: Virginia E. Forst in July 2006, 85; brother: Harold F. Holdych in November 2011, 83. A service will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 10:00 AM with family receiving friends beginning at 9:00 AM at the Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home with entombment following in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.
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