Former Benton Mayor Rick Holland passed away July 15, 2024.
Richard Stephen Holland, 69, of Benton, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, surrounded by family. Rick was born in Benton, Arkansas, on October 17, 1954. Born to the late Bernard Worth Holland and Gracie Duncan Holland, Rick is predeceased by his parents and his brother George Holland.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Cynthia Holland, daughters Katie Brown (Rob Brown) and Holly Holland both of Benton, son Seth Holland of Benton, son Blake Holland (Michelle) of Mississippi, grandchildren Finley Brown, Decker Brown, McKenzie Holland, Garrison Holland, Carson Holland and Madison Holland, brother Jim Holland (Ange Holland) of Benton, nephew Jay Holland of Benton, cousin Sheila Cotton Bardes of Little Rock and a host of family and special friends that will all miss him dearly.
Rick graduated from Benton high school in 1973. He earned his business administration degree in 1978 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Rick earned his Eagle Scout rank which is the highest rank the Boy Scouts of America has to offer. He wanted to give back to the community which led him to continue volunteering in the Scouts when he returned to Benton after college first as a scoutmaster and then as an advancement chairman for the district, as well as a merit badge teacher. Besides scouting, he was active in the Lions Club. Rick served as a reserve officer for the city of Benton and achieved the rank of lieutenant before bowing out after 15 years.
After returning from college, Rick drove for his father’s company, Holland Gravel Co., established in 1945. He later partnered with his brother Jim to run Holland Trucking Co., established in 1973. Rick ventured out on his own in 1988 to establish Richard Holland Trucking.
In 2002, he was elected mayor of Benton and was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2006, becoming the first mayor in the city of Benton to be re-elected since 1982 at the time. Under his leadership, Downtown Streetscape, was one of his favorite projects. The revitalization and beautification of historic downtown Benton was very important to him. As a result, his hope of attracting many shops, restaurants, and numerous community activities, became a reality.
He established the Benton Historic District Commission and had great affection for the Benton Historical Society. Rick was also a big proponent of the Christian Community Care Clinic and led in the approval and completion of the renovations of the Old City Hall on South Street that became the new home for this valuable resource for citizens throughout Saline County.
Under his leadership, Economic Development was integral to the vision that he had for the City of Benton. As Mayor he established economic incentives for industrial and retail businesses. He set up a Financial Stability Fund, worked with MetroPlan to begin the north Military Road improvements, secured traffic signals for the Post Office and Military Road, and led the building of Fire Station #3.
Rick was a champion for the A&P commission and supporter of the Public Utilities and Parks Commissions. His love for the City of Benton was evident in so many ways. He was very community service oriented and was honored that Benton was named an Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year for 3 consecutive years.
One of his goals was to revitalize the Mayors Youth Advisory Council, believing there were many future leaders in the community. His support for the MYAC led to an increase in membership from 10 members to 50+ members. They soon became the apple of his eye, so to speak. One of his favorite trips was to Washington DC, where he & chaperones were able to take 10 MYAC members to experience being in the nation’s capital and participate in workshops and think tanks with other youth across America. He was very proud of these young people and their many community service projects, which led to them being recognized not only in Arkansas, but also nationally, when they were awarded the National Volunteer Service Award in 2009.
The family would like to thank all family and friends for their unwavering love and support, Hospice Home Care-Little Rock Inpatient Center, UAMS Medical Oncology Clinic, Dr. Muthu V. Kumaran, MD and Tiffany Willis, RN who took care of all our needs and concerns.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 19th at 12:00 p.m. with service to follow at 1:00 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton with burial at Rosemont Memorial Park in Benton.
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