In Loving Memory of Col. M. Keith Hollenbeck

1/1/1921 - 9/19/2015

Location: La Jolla, California

Visits: 72,864

Colonel M. Keith Hollenbeck, esteemed son of Homer H. Hollenbeck and Dorothy Rankin Hollenbeck, passed away on August 19, 2015, at the age of 93. A native Kansan, he took great pride in his 22 year career as a highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer. His military career accomplishments are enshrined at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial and at the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park.

Among the highlights of his distinguished military service are: landing the first aircraft on Iwo Jima delivering two and one half tons of critically needed mortar ammunition; serving as the personal pilot of the Marine Corps Commandant; flying over 70 missions to China immediately following WW II; and, leading numerous air transport convoys over the Pacific without ever losing one convoy aircraft. His military decorations included: 3 prestigious Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medal with 1 silver star and 3 gold stars, American Campaign Medal with 3 stars, WW II Victory Medal, National Defense Service with 1 star, Korean Service with 2 stars, among numerous other citations.

His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great­grandchildren. He is survived by his children: Ruth Elaine Sternlight, M. Keith Hollenbeck, Jr., and Mark Alexander Hollenbeck; and, his step children: Hap Rohr Ferris, Jennifer Ferris Luther, John Rohr Ferris, and, Shirley Ferris Gresham; 6 grandchildren, 4 great­grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, and 7 step-great­-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mrs. Charles (Cleo) Craig and was pre­deceased by his beloved wife of 38 years, Jean Rohr Hollenbeck, and his beloved sister Mrs. Ralph (Lorraine) Stum.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, San Diego, c/o Sheldon Margolis, Executive Director, 2115 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA, 92101;
the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, P.O. Box 502408, San Diego, 92150;
and, the Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 45316, MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA, 92145.