Clifford Randolph Holland was born in St. Louis, MO in 1940 and passed away July 14, 2016 at the Hospice House of Slidell, LA. Mr. Holland at age 76, was a long time resident of the Caesar Community in Pearl River County.
Mr. Holland graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, MO receiving both a bachelor and master‘s of science degrees in electrical engineering. He served in the Army during the Vietnam era. Following his military service, he worked for the Navy in Panama City, FL on the Ocean Simulation Facility (OSF) that supported operational research with divers at extreme depths in the ocean, Sea Labs I & II projects.
Moving to Mississippi in 1977, he oversaw the relocation of the technical team from Panama City, FL and established the Navy presence at SSC with the Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity (NORD), currently known as the Naval Research Laboratory. As an engineering manager, he led the team in the transition to a cost center model that was later benchmarked throughout the Navy.
During his time at Stennis Space Center (SSC), Mr. Holland, formally taught over a hundred students. Many went on to earn a master’s degree in engineering management, a degree program he developed with UNO. Mr. Holland enjoyed mentoring his students and all people who were part of his life.
After retiring in 1994, Mr. Holland spent countless hours informing decision makers, stakeholders, and the general public about SSC and the prominent role that the state of Mississippi has in the nation’s space program. As a consummate ambassador for SSC, he was instrumental in keeping and bringing hundreds of new jobs to Stennis. He was an active board member of Partners for Stennis for over 18 years, assisted companies with establishing a presence at Stennis, was part of the design team supporting the INFINITY Science Center, and hosted a local radio program on WRJW, “Spotlight on Stennis,” to bring information about Stennis to the community.
The Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library is strongly supported by the Holland Family. Mr. Holland, a dedicated member of the Friends of the Library, served as the host and creator of many library programs. He was known as “The Science Guy,” bringing understanding of the world through his unique teaching gifts.
Recently, Mr. Holland was honored by both the community and Stennis. Mr. Holland was named Picayune 2016 Senior Citizen of the Year and awarded NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal.
Left to continue his legacy of public service is his devoted best friend and wife, Kathleen Ann Burke Holland; his children, Randolph Robert Holland (Bonnie) and Michaela “Shelly” Marie Elliott (James); his grandchildren, Erica Christian Jackson, Edward “Ted” Randolph Holland (Andrea), Benjamin Foster Holland (Stephanie), and Garrett Thomas Fornea; his great grandchildren, Isabella Holland, Gabriel Holland and Luke Holland; and his sister, Jann Roth.
Special thanks are expressed for the generous support provided by St. John’s Hospice, and Kathy Bosco of Hospice House of Slidell.
Visitation will be held at the Picayune Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, July 18th from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19th at the Picayune Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the Holland Family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Margaret Read Crosby Memorial Library.
Arrangements are under the direction of Picayune Funeral Home. Please visit our website for the obituary. You can leave an online condolence or share photos and memories. www.picayunefuneral.com.