Richard Irving Holbert Sr.

On the evening of October 22, 2015 Richard “Dick” Irving Holbert Sr. of Pembroke, Massachusetts passed away at Kindred Hospital in Stoughton after a long illness. He was 74 years old.  Richard Holbert was born to Emily Lopes Perry and Frank Perry in the town of Taunton, Massachusetts on November 28, 1940. He was raised in Norton. After Frank’s passing in 1941, the Reverend Williston Holbert married Emily and raised Richard as his own.  In a love letter written to Emily, Williston stated that he loved her dearly, but had fallen in love with Richard first.

Richard received his B.A. in 1963 from Eastern Nazarene College and a Master’s degree in Education in 1967 from Bridgewater State College, graduating with honors from both programs.  While at Eastern Nazarene, Richard also attained the title of Ping-Pong champion of the school.  His Ping-Pong skills no doubt were manifested as a result of his life-long passion for tennis.  Richard’s abilities on the tennis court were superb, earning him rankings in New England in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and even Father and Son at the age of 38.   He played at the U.S. Open with his son Richard Jr. and went twice as a spectator. 

Richard became a chemistry teacher, and started teaching in Weymouth Public schools.  He then taught for over 30 years at Norwell High School, where he was eventually appointed the Head of the Science Department.   He was passionate about teaching chemistry to college bound seniors, and his meticulous approach to teaching was appreciated by many of his students.  He received numerous letters from former students stating their thanks for preparing them so well for their college studies. 

During his teaching years, Richard also orchestrated numerous Science Fairs throughout the South Shore, always pushing his students to achieve ever greater accomplishments.  He pushed people to achieve because he always thought people could do better.

While he was teaching at Norwell High, he also worked summers and weekends at Cardinal Cushing Hospital (now Good Samaritan Hospital) in Brockton, Ma. as a lab supervisor.

In his spare time, Richard enjoyed playing cribbage and poker with his friends and family.  He liked taking people out on his boat on Furnace Pond in Pembroke and various lakes in New Hampshire.  While traveling the tennis circuit, Richard enjoyed camping all around New England, combining his tournaments with family vacations.  He was also an avid Red Sox fan, and was overjoyed when they won their first World series in his lifetime in 2004.  During his retirement years, he went on a number of worldwide cruises with his wife Lolita.   

While Richard was a man of few words, his emotions ran deep.  He strived to excel and quietly took pride in his family’s accomplishments.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lolita Diniz-Holbert, his oldest daughter, Michelle Ann Holbert, his parents, The Reverend Williston Holbert of Norton and his mother Emily Lopes Perry Holbert.

Richard is survived by his children, Richard and Kathy Holbert Jr.  of Plymouth, Dana and Kim Holbert of Holbrook, , Nicolette and Michael Gordon of Taunton, Andrea and Kevin Slattery of North Andover , Darryl Holbert and Sandra Fenton of Brockton, Deanna and Hill Baker of Dorchester, and Darryn Holbert of Hanover; his brothers and sisters Williston and Janice Holbert Jr. of Plymouth, Cynthia and Floyd Williams of Hanover,  Cheryl and Ronald Locke of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and David Holbert of Plymouth;  grandchildren James Holbert, Kassandra Holbert, Sabrina Holbert, Ashlee DeBarros, Hilliard Baker, Kourtney Baker, Anasia Baker, Skye Baker,  Brianna Slattery, Ryan Slattery, Carissa Fenton, Corey Fenton, Cassie Fenton, Amanda Saylor,  Nicole Saylor,  Courtney Saylor, Brandon Holbert,  and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing from 9am-12pm on Wednesday, October 28th, 2015 at the Leighton-MacKinnon Funeral Home in Hanson.  A service will be held at the funeral home at 12pm, with the Reverend Olivier Bala presiding, followed by interment at Norton Center Cemetery on Pine Street in Norton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to the Mount Hope Community Baptist Church, 734 Hope Street, Providence RI 02906.

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