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Charles Holden Brink, November 3, 1938 - September 5, 2018
Holden passed away Wednesday morning. He had suffered several illnesses for quite some time.
He is survived by his two children Chris and Sheralynn and four grandchildren.
Holden's greatest passion was fishing, for which most of us will remember him. He was a true naturalist, spending most of his years managing our baylands and forests. His knowledge of our wild birds, fish, and various critters made him a joy to be with. A favorite memory of mine was the personal, private tour he gave our family of the baylands he currently managed. This included three of our grandchildren. His enthusiasm and desire to pass on the joy he felt was truly contagious.
The two of us met in the 7th grade when I joined Peninsula School. A true friendship developed and lasted a lifetime. In these latter years we worked together on our Paly class reunions. For several summers he invited our family to join him at their family cabin near Tahoe. He was a dear and loyal friend -- even when one of us dared to catch the bigger fish.
Rest well, Holden. You lived a full and worthwhile life, full of generosity and kindness. You are in good company. Peace,dear friend.
Lorna
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Brian Williams
I was aware, thanks to Lorna Hopper Affleck's emails, that Holden was not well, but I was not expecting this sorrowful news. He was truly a fine man, with a great sense of humor, whom I knew for probably 75 years, ever since we were in nursery school or kindergarten at Menlo Park's Peninsula School. We then moved up through the grades at Peninsula, followed by Jordan Junior High (now Frank S. Green Jr. Middle School) and then Paly.
Holden's parents and my parents were friends, and on more than one occasion we visited the Brinks at their summer cabin in Meyers near Lake Tahoe, where we met once or twice since. A few years ago, Holden gave me and another friend a tour of the wetlands preserve that he managed south of Sacramento, then we went for lunch to Al the Wop’s restaurant/bar in Locke, that magnificent Chinese settlement near Elk Grove. His interest in wildlife reminded me of what he was like as a little boy at Peninsula School, catching insects in a mayonnaise jar. The last time I saw Holden was at our last Paly reunion, where he was the official photographer—a task he managed to do even though he was not well. Prior to that, I enjoyed our get-togethers that Lorna arranged in Menlo Park.
Holden, you were a great friend and classmate, and your life was marked by important contributions and strong bonds. I will miss you mightily.
Brian