ding NewsDr. Timothy Louis Robert Holekamp – March 29, 1946 – April 19, 2025

Dr. Timothy Louis Robert Holekamp, known to most as Tim, passed away at his home in Ocala, Florida on April 19, 2025. He was 79 years old.

Photo – Dr. Timothy and Cheryl Holekamp

Extraordinary

Tim was a man of extraordinary intelligence, depth, and passion. He was educated at the John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Amherst College in Massachusetts, and Washington University School of Medicine. He became an ophthalmologist and one of the first fellowship-trained specialists in laser retina surgery. He not only practiced his profession for over 40 years, but became his group’s business manager, the Chief of Surgery at his hospital, and the leader of ethics and quality improvement for more than 20 years. He spent time abroad as a young man, committing his efforts, medical skill, and a suitcase full of donated eyeglasses to those less fortunate in El Salvador. This was possible because, in addition to English, he could understand and speak Spanish, French, and German.

Tim’s interests spanned an astonishing range. He was a compassionate and excellent physician, a renowned horse breeder, an enthusiastic outdoorsman, a farmer, a beekeeper, a pilot, an art collector, and a detailed family historian. A lifelong learner, he was a walking encyclopedia, endlessly curious and always eager to understand the world more deeply.

High Standards

Tim held himself to a high standard and stirred those around him, especially his children, to always strive for excellence. His daughters earned Master of Business Administration degrees and his son became a neurosurgeon, holding both Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy degrees – accomplishments that made Tim especially proud.

He was a family man and beloved father; dedicated to family values and declaring before his first was born that he would be there for his children no matter what. He never missed dinner with his family despite his demanding career and always said they were “the reason to live”. Tim was compassionate and deeply generous when it mattered most. Though he didn’t care much for small talk or ceremony, he was present in the big ways—the ways that matter. He set expectations but loved his children deeply and always championed their chosen endeavors. He spent many weekends of their young lives tirelessly chasing them over cross-country jumping courses, video camera in hand to capture every beautiful moment.

Education was not just a personal value, but a public mission for Tim. He worked tirelessly to ensure others had access to learning, founding an independent school and championing academic achievement throughout his community. Until the day he died, Tim remained dedicated to learning and sharing knowledge with others. He believed education illuminates our existence and is one of life’s highest pursuits.

World Traveler

Tim was also a passionate world traveler, often gathering family and friends for trips of uncommon adventure. He saw the harsh reality behind the Iron Curtain, journeying to the Soviet Union with his brother in 1989. His eyes saw the end of the Cold War and the wall coming down. He crossed into East Berlin through Checkpoint Charlie with his 14 year-old son at midnight on March 18th, 1990, as the first free votes in 60 years were counted – a first person witness to the turning point. He crawled through ancient ruins in Greece, and pyramids in Egypt. He sailed the Nile. He climbed volcanoes in Indonesia, mountains in the Sinai, and waterfalls in Hawaii. He dove in the Red Sea, the Great Barrier Reef, and to the edge of the Cayman Abyss. He slept in a ger with his daughters in the grasslands of Mongolia.

His greatest and most enduring partnership was with his beloved wife of more than 40 years, Cheryl, with whom he built a world-class Trakehner horse breeding program. Their shared passion for horses was a cornerstone of their life together. Tim became an expert of equine genetics, planning and executing numerous crosses to achieve the ultimate sport horse. He consistently poured his time, mind, energy, and resources into the horse sport of Eventing—mentoring riders, supporting young horses, and strengthening the sport he loved. Among the many accomplishments of their breeding program, two of the four horses on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Eventing Team were born of their efforts—a source of immense pride for Tim. He is survived not only by his family, but also by his cherished stallion, Windfall.

Magic Carpet

Tim was not indulgent, nor was he sentimental. He preferred logic to emotion, science to ceremony. He drank Kona coffee, loved difficult crossword puzzles, and for many years ferried his family across the skies in his small plane, which Cheryl referred to as their magic carpet. He was a force: brilliant, stubborn, principled, often right, and never small. He was one of a kind and larger than life. He will be very deeply missed.

Tim asked for little fuss at the end. He wished to be cremated and for his ashes to be scattered in the places he loved best. He did not consider himself religious. Nature was his sanctuary; the outdoors was where he felt closest to the sublime. Whether under the great blue sky fishing on his boat or sitting in the early morning stillness of the Missouri woods hunting turkeys and deer – that was his form of worship. A private memorial and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Holekamp; his children Terry, Emily and Victoria; his grandchildren; and his brother Bill and sister Carol.

He is also survived by an extraordinary and deeply valued network of friends cultivated throughout his entire life, spanning both generations and continents. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations in his name to the American Trakehner Association (ata@americantrakehner.com).