One of UNMC’s biggest supporters, Richard “Dick” Holland, died Tuesday night following a short illness. He was 95.
Holland’s philanthropy included major gifts for the Durham Research Centers, the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, and the UNMC College of Public Health.
His donations created the Mary and Richard Holland Cardiovascular Research Laboratories on the fifth floor of the DRC and the Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program on the sixth floor of DRC II.
“Over the past two years, I have had the true honor to get to know Mr. Holland and his family and to learn of the visionary leadership role that he has had for UNMC and for our community,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “His strong spirit, dedication to quality and groundbreaking programs of science have been truly remarkable.
“His collegiality, sense of humor and sincere welcome, as I joined our community, also will long be remembered.”
An advertising executive, Holland generated much of his wealth from his investment in Berkshire Hathaway stock. His generosity knew almost no bound.
A huge supporter of the arts, Holland and his late wife, Mary, funded the Holland Center for Performing Arts. They also provided major support to Opera Omaha, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Child Saving Institute and All Our Kids, now known as the Partnership For Our Kids.
Holland created The Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, a grassroots organization that staunchly defended the merits of biomedical research including controversial research involving fetal cells and embryonic stem cells.
The coalition eventually merged with another grassroots organization, Nebraskans for Research, with the coalition name being used for the combined entity.
“Dick Holland was a champion for basic science to improve the human condition,” said Irv Zucker, Ph.D., professor and chair of the UNMC Cellular and Integrative Physiology Department and director of the cardiovascular research labs in DRC.
Another Omaha icon, Mike Yanney, chairman emeritus of Burlington Capital Group, might have said it best.
“Having known and been touched by Dick Holland has greatly enriched my life,” he said. “This whole state has had the good fortune of having this great citizen use his vision, his resources, his energy and his wonderful sense of humor to enhance the quality of life for a vast number of citizens. We should all celebrate the life of Dick Holland.”
Mr. Holland was a true community treasure and an advocate for so many important causes in our community from healthcare to the arts. The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) valued his friendship and his foundation's interest in mentoring students in healthcare careers. We are so appreciative of his partnership with UNMC.