Richard Harvey Holden, age 74, of Washington, Iowa, formerly of Santa Barbara, California, died Monday, November 22, 2021, in Washington, Iowa.

Memorials have been established for the education fund of Richard's son, Jed. No services are scheduled at this time. Online condolences may be sent for Richard's family by emailing imlholden@gmail.com

Richard was born March 26, 1947, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Harvey Benjamin and Ruth Lourene (Wead) Holden. He graduated from Washington High School in 1965 and later received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University.

Richard moved to California and started a House Call Veterinary Practice in Santa Barbara in 1978. In 1982, he opened the Neighborhood Pet Clinic which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2006. He lived in Germany for six years and returned to Washington, Iowa, in 2015. Richard was the innovator of outdoor vaccination clinics for cats and dogs. He was brilliant with computer technology and created innovative software used in veterinary medicine. Richard was creative and talented in photography, poetry and stained glass.

He is survived by three sons: Leif Holden and Luke Holden of Santa Barbara, California; Jed Holden of Washington, Iowa; Joanne Holden, mother of Leif and Luke; father, Harvey Holden of Washington, Iowa; four sisters: Barbara Leeper of Mesa, Arizona; Lorene Sundquist of Mesa, Arizona; Laura Davison and husband Rollin of Coppock, Iowa; Pat DeSotel of Washington, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother in 2003.