Benjamin Holt Jr. Passing

I just read this on the Caterpillar Visitor's Center Facebook feed.

"Our condolences to the family of Benjamin Dean (B.D.) Holt, Jr. Mr. Holt, the retired Chairman of HOLT Companies, passed away Saturday, March 10, in San Antonio, Texas. He worked as a District Rep. for Caterpillar Tractor Co. from 1948-1954, during which time he was called up by the U.S. Marine Corps to serve in the Korean War. He is the grandson of Benjamin Holt, founder of Holt Manufacturing Company, which merged with the C.L. Best Tractor Company in 1925 to form Caterpillar. He is also the grandfather of HOLT CAT owners, Peter John Holt and Corinna Holt Richter and the father of former owner, Peter M. Holt.
The exhibit "Holt, Tracks Around the World" is on display through June 20."

It was a pleasure to share the hobby with the Holt's during my tenure on the board. It is too bad that Mr. Holt couldn't be around for this year's show hosted by his dealership in Texas. May God bless him and his family. My condolences to all who considered him friend or family.

Benjamin Dean (B. D.) Holt, Jr.

Benjamin Dean (B.D.) Holt Jr., retired Chairman of HOLT Companies, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Holt is the grandfather of HOLT CAT owners, Peter John Holt and Corinna Holt Richter and the father of former owner, Peter M. Holt.
Mr. Holt was born on April 21, 1925 in Oakland, California to Benjamin Dean and Loretta Holt. After graduation from high school in Stockton, California, he entered the Marine Corps and served as an officer during World War II. After the war, he entered the University of California at Berkley. He was married to Corinna Knapp in June 1947 and graduated from Berkley in 1948. He went to work for what was then known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and was a District Representative for them until 1954 except for a period when he was recalled into the Marine Corps during the Korean War.
In 1954 he went to work for his uncle’s Caterpillar dealership in San Antonio, the William K. Holt Machinery Co. He took over his own dealership in 1961, establishing the B. D. Holt Equipment Co. in Corpus Christi. His company merged with Holt Machinery Co. in 1987 and he moved to San Antonio to establish his headquarters. He retired in 1992 to spend more time at his ranch, Holt Oaks, near Blanco, Texas.
B. D. was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Donald and Nicholas, his wife, Corinna, and his second wife, Kaye. He is survived by his sister Catherine; children, Peter M. Holt, Anne Holt Schultz (husband Chris) and Ben Holt (wife Lisa); grandchildren Peter John Holt (wife Lauren Kate), Corinna Holt Richter (husband J.B.), Benjamin Holt, IV and Harrison Holt; great grand-children, Hazel, Penelope, Holt and Charlotte.
B.D., or “Pete” as he was fondly called by family and friends, was a loving family man and lived life to its fullest. He especially enjoyed his time at the ranch, good barbeque and driving around the yard in San Antonio to check out the new equipment. He had a knack for remembering names and faces and always made everyone feel special. He was known for saying “The best is yet to come” and his positive attitude impacted everyone he encountered. He will be greatly missed.
Private family services are pending.