David Holmes Obituary

David Sheridan Holmes, 82, Westwood Hills, died Monday, December 20, 2021, at Brookdale Senior Living, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Dr. Holmes was born June 9, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Conrad and Margaret Lambrecht Holmes. After high school he went to Northern Illinois University and earned a bachelor's degree in 1961. He completed his graduate work at Northwestern University, where he received a master's degree in 1963 and a Ph.D. in 1965. Dr. Holmes did his clinical psychology internship at Harvard University Medical School from 1963-1964.

After years of academic life at Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Holmes took a research position at the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, but soon realized that he missed teaching. In 1971, Dr. Holmes accepted a position at the University of Kansas in the Department of Psychology and, in a career that spanned over 43 years, taught thousands of students. He was known as a passionate teacher who was deeply dedicated to his students. He shared that enthusiasm not only in the classroom but when students would talk with him outside of class. He loved sharing with undergraduate students the basic foundations of psychology as well as exciting new findings and he was supportive as a mentor to students pursuing their Ph.D. research. He won many awards, both local and national, for his teaching, including the prestigious University of Kansas Chancellors Club Teaching Professorship. He was equally acclaimed for his best-selling textbooks and peer-reviewed research publications, which numbered more than 120.

David led an active life that included regular exercise, especially swimming and running. In addition to psychology, David had many other interests. He appreciated art and looked forward to visiting the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art as well as art fairs in the Kansas City area. Music and the theatre were important to him and he delighted in going to the symphony and to other performances at the Kauffman Center. David also loved to read and would eagerly pick up a new book or re-read an old favorite and he enjoyed cooking and was especially proud of his homemade pasta. His interest in architecture inspired his home remodeling and many woodworking projects.

Survivors include his close friend, Kristin Scott of Lawrence; one sister, Ardith Kanabay and husband Bob of Hinsdale, Illinois; five nieces and a nephew, Jodie, Melinda, Stacey, Sabrina, Sharon, and Robert; colleague and long-time friend, Tom Burish and wife Pam of Granger, Indiana; former students, Rochelle Harris, Dave Bennett, Abbie Ellicott, Randy Frost, Barb Reinke, and many others too numerous to name and whom he appreciated greatly; and many colleagues and friends.

Dr. Holmes is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Kelly; and one brother, Terry.

Condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.