"Gus was and is an inspiration to those of us younger members who knew him at the Highland Park Improvement Club. When we invited a group of the Elders, as we call the Lifetime Members, to HPIC's monthly "Corner Bar", Gus famously kicked his walker aside to join in on the dance floor. We will kick up our heels again in tribute to Gus at tonight's Corner Bar, and remember him fondly."
In loving memory of
August Holzer
January 15, 1916 - October 29, 2015
Beloved father and grandfather, August "Gus" Holzer passed away at the age of 99 on October 29, 2015. Gus was born in Seattle on January 15, 1916 and spent the remainder of his joyful life in the city of his birth. After enduring the hardships of the Great Depression, Gus began his career with Seattle Transit and continued serving local commuters until his retirement from King County Metro in 1977.
In 1936, Gus married the love of his life, Florence "Flo" Blakesley, with whom he spent 65 glorious years. The inseparable couple raised two wonderful sons, Gary and Ron, while dancing away the decades with a close-knit group of family and friends. His love of dancing even inspired him to construct a purpose-built recreation room on his West Seattle property, where many fond memories were made by those lucky enough to be in Gus's wide social circle.
Throughout his life, Gus's greatest pleasures came from helping others. Whether fixing faulty wiring and delivering food to friends in need, or serving the members of the Highland Park Improvement Club, he could be counted on as an eager volunteer. I'm sure in many parts of West Seattle, the line "honey, the lights won't work" was immediately followed by "what's Gus's number?" He loved being the problem solver, whenever and wherever.
In between family, friends, and work, Gus hand built a second home on Whidbey Island. The 'island house' became a family retreat from which many gorgeous summer weekends were spent watching fireworks in Freeland, feeding apples to the deer, and digging clams at Double Bluff. Being up at the 'island' didn't as much provide leisure time for Gus as it did present a whole new group of people to know and love and things to fix.
After his wife's passing in 2001, Gus spent the last chapters of his life in vigorous pursuit of helping others and spending quality time with friends and family. In particular, he had the great fortune of meeting a very special friend, Rene´ Jacobson, with whom he was able to continue his life's joyful dance. Together, and with a large group of friends and family, they loved eating breakfast at Young's Restaurant in White Center and going to dances at the Eagles Club and West Seattle Senior Center.
In his last years, Gus had the good fortune of living independently with the loving support of his sons Gary and Ron, daughters-in-law Gaye and Paula, and the wonderful staff at the Daystar retirement community in West Seattle. The sparkle in his eyes, visits to the 'island', family time, and dancing with friends continued on until the very end of his magical life. When the time came in the last few months when he needed more care, he had the pleasure of moving back into the comfort of his family home with his grandson Scott Holzer. Gus was blessed to have the tireless full time support of an adoring grandson at his side.
Gus is survived by his sons Gary and Ronald, daughters-in-law Gaye and Paula, grandsons Scott, Jay, and Damon, and sister-in-law Dorothy McCann.