Rachel Katharine Espey Holmes
Rachel Katharine Espey Holmes Jan. 14, 1916 ~ Aug. 29, 2009 Resident of Concord Rachel was born in Portland, Oregon of Russian German immigrant parents Conrad Krieger and Margaret Klaus Krieger. She learned German at home and English in school and she lived in a neighborhood with five Russian German churches. She was proud of her heritage and maintained a life long interest in expanding her knowledge of it. Rachel began her working career at age 15 in the Meyer and Frank accounting department. She later worked in the shipyards during World War II and as a bookkeeper before discovering her passion in Dental Hygiene education and practice. After receiving her Certificate in Dental Hygiene from the University Of Oregon Dental School, she went on to receive a bachelor's degree from Portland State University and a Masters Degree in Public Health Education from Columbia University in New York City. Rachel retired as Head of the Dental Hygiene Department at the University of Oregon Dental School in 1976 when she moved to California to be near her daughter and twin grandsons. She worked in private practice until her second retirement. Rachel joined Hillcrest Congregational Church and served in numerous capacities, including Deacon and President of the Women's Fellowship. Through her activities there she met and later married Oliver Holmes. Together they traveled every continent, except Antarctica and they were involved in almost every community organization in Pleasant Hill.
Rachel continued her interest in her ethnic heritage with trips to Russia and Germany and with regular attendance at the meetings and conventions of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. She was a founding member of the local Mt. Diablo Chapter. Rachel and Oliver moved from their home in Pleasant Hill into Aegis Senior Living in Concord in 2004. Oliver preceded her in death in November 2007. Rachel is survived by her daughter Judith L. Myers, Clayton, CA; step-son Oliver Holmes, Jr. of San Francisco; step-daughter Nancy LeSage of Walnut Creek, CA; granddaughters Julia Reif, Ann Holmes and Amelia Holmes; and grandsons Mark Myers, Bruce Myers, and Robert Holmes. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Congregational Church, 401 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, 2811 NE Holman Street, Portland, Oregon 97211 or to the Hillcrest Memorial Fund.
Successful Research: "Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack" by Rachel Holmes