COMMUNITY: Remembering Don Holmes

Editor's note: Bob (Mick) McNiel is retired Cedar Rapids Elementary principal and Grant Wood Area Education Agency School Administrator. He officiated college and high school wrestling for more than 25 years and is the recipient of the IHSAA Wrestling Official of The Year and inductee of the Iowa High School Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame.

By Bob McNiel, community contributor

On Sunday, a few hours after the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships ended in Des Moines, the Iowa wrestling community lost one of its most respected members.

Don Holmes, a former Vinton wrestling coach and state wrestling official, died, a victim of Alzheimer's disease.

Over the years, Don became my partner, confidante and personal friend as a result of working together at high school and college wrestling meets.

The numerous wintry nights of driving and the all-day Saturday tournaments refereeing created memories I always will cherish.

Don Holmes enjoyed being around people and always had a smile and a story to share with anyone who would listen. He also had a serious side to his personality that communicated high expectations from the students he taught and professional sportsmanship from the coaches and wrestlers he officiated.

Don and I were once invited to an open house after a tournament, and Don was explaining a “stalling call” he had given earlier in the day.

Don said “Boy, I let that kid know I was serious about his stalling.” A parent leaned over and said, “that was my kid you penalized.” Don looked at me and said, “I guess maybe I put my foot in my mouth by sharing too much.” That same parent heard Don's comments and said, “No, you made the right call and my son will learn from it.”

Don Holmes was a model of professionalism and highly respected by those who knew him. He received the Wrestling Official of the Year award and was voted into the Iowa High School Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame.

Those of us who knew Don - and had the privilege to have him in our lives - are sincerely grateful.