Jan. 8, 2004 — Richard "Dick" Holmberg passed away on Dec. 30 in Virginia from complications following abdominal surgery. He was 72. Holmberg was born in Chicago and first came to the Virgin Islands on a submarine in the 1950s while serving in the Navy. He and his new wife Louise Bible Holmberg returned to St. Thomas on their honeymoon in 1958. The pair flew only as far as Puerto Rico and then traveled to St. Thomas on an old native workboat because Dick wanted Louise's first view of the island to be from the sea.
They loved the island, and never left, making it home and raising their children here.
Dick first worked for the federal government, managing the then-Harry S. Truman airport. He went on to form a small company, Ice Isle, which distributed ice cream around the island in little three-wheeled scooters.
Following this he went into a long career in real estate, and also opened two small bar/restaurants – The Ships Store and the Oasis.
Dick truly loved the Virgin Islands, especially its people and waters. He spent a lot of his time diving and sailing around the islands.
Dick raced competitively in sailing events throughout the Caribbean and proudly represented the Virgin Islands in the 1972 Olympics in the Soling Class.
Dick is survived by his wife Bonnie Liss Holmberg, his sons John and Peter and his grandson Kai, and. He will be honored at a memorial service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Holy Family Catholic Church.
