Richard L. Holdcraft

Mr. Richard L. Holdcraft, age 80, of Frederick, MD, died on Friday October 10th at Frederick Health Hospital. He was the husband of Becky M. Thompson Holdcraft of Frederick, MD. Born December 6, 1944, he was the son of the late Joseph Henry Holdcraft and Mary Six Holdcraft.

Mr. Holdcraft attended local schools and was a 1963 graduate of Massanutten Military Academy, Woodstock, VA. He attended Towson State Teachers College and in June 1965, enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic and advanced individual training, he attended Officer Candidate School graduating in June 1966, as a Second Lieutenant in Armor. After a brief assignment as a training officer at Fort Benning, GA, he went to Vietnam and served with the famed 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) as a recon platoon leader in B Troop, from 1967 to 1968. He was promoted to the rand of Captain and returned to the states. He was assigned to command a training company at Fort Knox, KY where he also completed the Armored Officers Advanced Course. His terminal active-duty station in 1972 was at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, as the Armor Liaison Officer in the Command and General Staff Training Department. Mr. Holdcraft also served for one year as the Company Commander of Company A, 1-115 Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, Maryland Army National Guard. During his military career he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Citation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Expert Rifle and Pistol Badges, and was a Master Instructor.

Mr. Holdcraft began his civilian career with the U.S. Postal Service in Frederick, MD, in 1972 as a clerk, letter carrier and safety specialist. He then served at the Washington Bulk Mail Center as the safety manager and then at USPS Headquarters for ten years in occupational safety and health. In October 1989, he transferred to the U.S. Government Printing Office as the safety officer, and later as the Environmental Protection Program Manager. From November 2003 until July 2006, he was the Departmental Safety Manager for the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. He retired in July 2006 after more than 40 years of federal government service. Mr. Holdcraft held a bachelor's degree from Shepherd University and a Master of Science degree in safety from West Virginia University. He also taught for twenty-four years at Shepherd University and for West Virginia University as an adjunct professor in occupational safety and health and fire sciences. For fifteen years he was a Master Instructor for the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Hunter Education Program, teaching Treestand Safety classes with his best friend and Army buddy, Russ Holland. Mr. Holdcraft was a prolific writer and published articles on occupational safety and wrote three editions of a cookbook titled Strictly Deer Meat, which he dedicated to his friends and family, and numerous articles on Bowhunting.net on Treestand Safety.

He was an Emeritus Professional member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), holding a number of national and divisional positions. He served on various educational development committees and mentored many students. Mr. Holdcraft was recognized by ASSP as the Safety Professional of the Year by the National Capital Chapter, by Region VI, and the Public Sector Division. He was a member of the John R. Webb Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, a Charter Life member of the Blackhorse Association, the 11th armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia, Vietnam Veterans of America, Past Post Commander, Post #78 of the 29th Division Association, Virginia Hunter Education Association, International Hunter Education Association, and was a member and Past President of the Frederick County Fish and Game Protective Association (Camp Kanawha). He was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed teaching.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Becky, are his faithful daughter Meredith Ashley Holdcraft and Brian Fuller, and her son Ryan, of Williamsport, MD, who won his heart, and loving sons Patrick Shane Holdcraft and Jeff Holdcraft Rio Rancho NM. Mr. Holdcraft is survived by his brother-in-law Richard E. Palmer of Surfside Beach, SC, and sister Mary Margaret McQuitty and husband Steve, of Chambersburg, PA. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one sister, Patricia Holdcraft Abrecht.

Mr. Holdcraft will be remembered by his close friends Russell and Debbie Holland and family of Powhatan, VA, Jerry L. “Frog” Grove, Hagerstown, MD, Richard E. Palmer, Surfside Beach, SC, Matthew Sanders of Middletown, MD and Bill and Carol Campbell, Jefferson, MD.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday October 24th at 11 A.M at Staffer Funeral Home in Frederick, located at 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702, with Rev. Tim May presiding. There will be no graveside services. Mr. Holdcraft was an organ donor and his remains will be cremated.

Mr. Holdcraft requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name be made to The Blackhorse Association, Inc. Attn: Scholarship Fund, 10605 Brookchase Court Louisville KY 40228, or plant a tree at Frederick County Fish and Game Protective Association, Point of Rocks, MD, or consider a donation to Frederick County Fire and Rescue.

He greatly enjoyed life, his friends, his family and especially his grandson Ryan. He now rests comfortably in Fiddlers Green where all good Cavalry Troopers go.

The family would like to thank the responders who came to his aid. They would also like to thank the ICU team and Hospice Care at Frederick Health Hospital.