Donald Harvey Holdt

Donald Harvey Holdt, age 89, died at home surrounded by his proud and loving family on April 12th. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD to the late Andrew and Beulah Harmon Holdt.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathryne Carlon Holdt, daughter Deborah Aikins and her husband Harold, granddaughter Jennifer Macias, great-granddaughter Abbi Macias, stepdaughter Michele Parisi, stepson Douglas Gill and wife Leanne, and step-grandchildren Charles, Robert, Margaret, and Elisabeth Gill.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Holdt was preceded in death by his brother, Chaplain Robert P. Holdt. He was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church.

Mr. Holdt served as a radio operator for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in the U.S. Navy, during World War II and then graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in electrical engineering. He moved with Airpax Electronics from Baltimore to Cambridge in 1952. He founded several companies including Cambridge Scientific Industries (CSI), a maker of electronic circuit boards as well as Cambridge Technologies (Camtec), a manufacturer of innovative hospital beds and stretchers. Mr. Holdt was recognized in 1968 as “Small Businessman of the Year” in the state of Maryland by Rogers Morton.

Mr. Holdt was an avid instrument-rated pilot, who was a driving force in the development of the Cambridge Municipal Airport and the Deepwater Marine Port. He held leadership positions in the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce and was well known as a member of the legendary “Four Horsemen” who helped transform the economic climate of Cambridge in the 1960’s by attracting major manufacturing companies to the area such as Bumble Bee Tuna, Chun King, Western Publishing among others. These efforts helped lower the local unemployment rate from 25% to 5%.

Mr. Holdt was a life-long entrepreneur, known for his ability to fix all things mechanical and electrical. His talents and interests ranged from repairing radios, televisions and clocks, to designing the sound and lighting for high school theatrical productions and keeping local radio stations on the air and newspaper presses running.

There will be a graveside memorial service at Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery (Orem Addition) at 601 Church Street, Cambridge, MD 21613 at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 16, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Baywater Animal Rescue, 4930 Bucktown Road, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to the Coastal Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.