Henry Arthur Holmberg

Published 8:00 am Monday, September 10, 2018

July 2, 1985 – August 1, 2018

Henry Arthur Holmberg, age 33, of Bend, Oregon, died peacefully August 1, 2018, due to complications from diabetes. Henry is survived by his parents, Dave and Madeleine Holmberg, grandparents, Jack Remington and Betty Shadoan, Sheldon Mostovoy, and sister, Kelsey Adams, all of Bend.

Born in Portland, Oregon, Henry grew up in Bend where he swam competitively for Bend Swim Club. Henry held local and state records in many events and earned a swim scholarship to University of Wyoming, then to Cal State Bakersfield where he set more records in the pool and graduated on the Dean’s List with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing.

After college, Henry moved back to Bend to attend to ongoing health problems and be closer to family. At age 20, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and a few years later developed Type 1 diabetes from a medication side effect. With the onset of diabetes, he also developed neuropathy in his legs and feet, making it very painful for him to walk. Henry fought hard every day to overcome his diseases. Most days were okay but many days were not. Henry’s bipolar and diabetes interacted with each other making treatments even harder to balance. He worked for Telecare Corporation as a Peer Support Specialist, a job he enjoyed and fulfilling a need to help others with mental illness. He had a great sense of humor that will be missed by everyone who came into his life. At 6’5 he was a presence that drew attention, one friend recently called him a gentle giant. Henry enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, camping, swimming, painting and drawing, and spending time on his family’s ranch.

A celebration of life will be held on September 15 at Mountain View High School at 4:30 p.m. All are invited to gather at the Holmberg Family Ranch on Deschutes Market Road immediately following the program.

Henry’s family has created the Henry Holmberg Memorial Fund to support youth who want to further participate in Central Oregon competitive swimming. If you would like to team up and honor Henry, checks payable to The Oregon Community Foundation, referencing on the memo line or attached note: Henry Holmberg Memorial Fund. The mailing address for checks is: 1221 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97205. The link to make an online gift is: https://www.oregoncf.org/holmberg-memorial-fund