Dear Steven, David, and families,

I learned of your father's passing when my recent email bounced back and I found this site. I am so sorry. I first met Holmes in 1978 when I was assigned to the Military Science Department at Iowa as a young major to teach Army ROTC. As an collector of 19th Century U.S. militaria at the time, I was given your dad's name by a mutual friend and I made a point of looking him up when I got to Iowa City. We became immediate friends, went to many militaria shows together, and I spent many evenings with Holmes discussing our mutual interest. Your parents were both good friends and were guests at our wedding in January, 1980, when I married my wife, Tamara, who was a graduate student in History at Iowa at the time. We stayed in touch with Holmes and Elaine over the years, visited in person a couple of times, and always enjoyed reading your dad's humorous Holiday letters. You wrote a lovely tribute to him. He was a good friend and we know he is missed by many. Please accept our deepest sympathy on your loss.

Frank and Tamara Robertson

In the close to 15 years since I first met Holmes to help with his various computer issues, he was always kind and tolerant of my efforts. When I saw him just a few weeks ago Holmes was reviewing manuscripts for publication!

My sincerest condolences to Holmes's loved ones. I too will miss him.

Shelley Plattner

The two of us, Michael and Norma Bounk, would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all of his family and friends. Mike remembers him as an outstanding scientist, and as his boss in his early Master's program and as a friend. We regret that we are unable to attend his service today, due to the terrible weather we've had. We will be with you in spirit. We will miss him.

Mike and Norma

Semken Family, I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Holmes. My parents (the Swett's) and I have many memories of both your dad and mom. Holmes and my dad were not only great colleagues but extremely good friends. There were many, many good times over the years. I recall hearing about all of their dinner parties and also many outings with the geology students...they always were very involved. I also remember going to several football games with Holmes...such fun! Go Hawks! Sending lots of hugs to your entire family. Jo & Dennis Sheehan

He was an inspiration to me as a UI student in the late '80's, but more than that, he was kind and patient. My sympathy and gratitude to his family, Laura Elsinger

My sincere condolences to the Semken family. As a Master's graduate student at Iowa State University in the early 1980s, I asked Holmes to analysis the bison bone from the Cribb's Crib site in Red Rock Reservoir by the town of Carlisle. The Moingona Phase Oneota site contained several bison bison bones including worked tools. Holmes was extremely helpful to this graduate student at the time in his identification of the bison remains. His insights provided helpful identification, which made the thesis a better analysis of the Oneota subsistence in the central Des Moines River valley in the late 1200s and early 1300s. I always enjoyed meeting him at conferences, listening to his project presentations, and reading him numerous papers in professional journals.

Dear Semken Family,

Holmes was a cherished colleague and much appreciated for his many years service on the UI Office of the State Archaeologist Advisory Committee - sincerest condolences to your family.

John Doershuk

Sate Archaeologist

Dear Steve,

I was sorry to hear that your father passed away, but I was moved and delighted to read of his long and fascinating life. A wonderful life! May the memories sustain you and your family as you mourn the passing of this vital soul.

Blessings,

Cheryl Walsh

Holmes was my mentor and one of my best friends. He and Elaine provided refuge in their home for students from throughout the university. I had the opportunity to speak with him on the phone a few weeks ago. Little did I know that would be the last time that I would share laughs with him. He will be missed by many and as he would say - sloth on!!

All of Dr. Semken's students remember his kindness, intelligence, and infectious curiosity about the natural world. He was always willing to seriously discuss any ideas we had, even the poorly formed ones, and to steer us towards better research. We will miss him.

I will miss and old friend very much

We have fond memories of Holmes and Elaine as members of our stock investment club. He added such fun reading to his secretarial duties for the club. It was always a joy to listen to them. We loved hearing about their many adventures traveling. He reciprocated the interest in ours. He was an inspiration to us to see him walking to work, made us think we should follow his example and get out and walk too. A fun man to know.

A wonderful tribute to a wonderful life, a wonderful human.