Robert Joseph Holda

Robert Joseph Holda, known as “Bob” or “Sponge Bob” to many of his friends, joined the communion of saints on November 6, 2023. Bob, a lifetime native of Lafayette, Indiana, was born July 20, 1953.  He died at age 70.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the School of Hospitality at Purdue University, following his graduation from Central Catholic High School.  Bob’s grade school experience was at St. Boniface Catholic School. In his early years, Bob was an active member at St. Boniface Catholic Church. He was a member of  St. Mary’s Parish for all of his adult life, and often frequented St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Bob was involved in the life of St. Mary’s, having served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Choir Member, and Instructor for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Bob was a member of The Knights of Columbus Council 456 and a member of the General de Lafayette 4^th Degree Assembly in Lafayette. 

He served as an Assistant Food Service Director for Ball State University in Muncie Indiana, as a manager for several fast-food organizations, and as a Business Manager for his dad, Nick Holda, at Tippecanoe Furniture & Upholstery Company for many years.  Bob also served as a caregiver for a number of individuals, following the death of both of his parents, Nick and Rosella Holda, for whom he also provided years of care.  

He truly believed others should understand what caregiving involved.  He became a fierce advocate for caregivers, making sure that they had opportunities for respite and relief.  In fact he was an author of a chapter “Respite Tourism for Family Caregivers” in an internationally published journal.   He most recently served as an instructional aide at Miller Elementary School, working with autistic and special needs children whom he loved and who loved him.  He found his niche working with these kids and it was the joy of his life. 

He enjoyed spending time with his friends at the American Legion, Post 11 and was a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He called being with them his “social therapy.”

Bob believed in family.  He believed that friends could become family! His sense of humor always was there to make everyone laugh as well.  In fact, he could find something to joke about even in the worst situation.  One of his last postings was that “the most beautiful things in life are not things. They are people, places, memories, and pictures!  They are feelings, and moments, and smiles, and laughter.” That sums up our dear Sponge Bob who will be missed by us all!

Bob will be remembered as a gentle, caring, outgoing and jovial individual who was strong in his beliefs.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Rosella Holda.  He is survived by his sister, Dolores Thayil in Gold Canyon, Arizona and brother, Bill Holda who lives near Kilgore, Texas.

A Mass celebrating his life will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Wednesday November 15,at 4:00 P.M. Fr. Dennis J. O’Keeffe officiating.. He will be interred with his mother and father at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Cathedral for music ministry.

Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home is caring for the Holda family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com