Sebert Alan Hollenbeck

Sebert Alan Hollenbeck of Vienna, VA and McAllen, TX, entered his eternal rest on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. He was 74 years old.

Alan was born to Sebert Earl Hollenbeck and Minnie Elizabeth (Dickerson) Hollenbeck, on August, 10, 1942, in Washington, DC. He played football at McLean High School, and sang in the A Cappella Choir, Madrigals, and in the Virginia All-State choir. He attended the University of Virginia, Ferrum Junior College, and graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Biology in 1971. While working on his degree, he enlisted in the Navy in 1966, serving for 2 years of active duty, and an additional 21 years in the reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1989, at the rank of Hospital Corpsman 1st Class.

Alan was always a singer; a fine tenor. He especially loved singing Barbershop music, and his fellow singers in the chorus routinely fought over having him in their quartet. In 1968 he met his wife Frances (Dooley) Hollenbeck singing in the church choir at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna, VA. They were married in June of 1969, in a ceremony at First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Edinburg, TX. Alan was also a skilled carpenter, and not long into their marriage he opened the Hollenbeck Home Remodeling business that he operated until December of 2006, when he retired due to declining health.

Alan and Fran relocated to McAllen, TX in 2009 for the warmer climate and to be closer to Fran’s family and roots. They joined FUMC, and quickly made a close circle of friends. Alan would regularly meet his “Breakfast Club” buddies at the local Whataburger for laughs and camaraderie. He was devoted to volunteering at the FUMC food pantry, and could always be counted on to help out around the church. And of course, he and Fran joined the church choir and started a men’s ensemble singing group called the Messengers.

Although in recent years Alan faced several health challenges, he never stopped singing. His last written words were the lyrics to a song celebrating his beloved wife Frances on Mother’s Day. He was known for the merry laughter in his eyes, his willingness to help anyone in need, and his contagious laughter. He was quiet by temperament, but knew how to tell a good joke (with sound effects), and enjoyed watching Hallmark movies the whole year through. He touched many lives throughout his life and will be sorely missed.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 48 years, Frances (Dooley) Hollenbeck, and their three children, Elizabeth Sarah Hollenbeck of Edinburg, TX, Christopher Earl Hollenbeck of Washington, DC, and Jonathan Alan Hollenbeck of Burke, VA. He is also survived by his brother David (and Lola) Hollenbeck, his brothers and sisters-in-law, fourteen nieces and nephews, and more than thirty grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Janet Beryl (Hollenbeck) Fulton, and Ellen Ruth Hollenbeck.

Cremation will take place at Memorial Cremation Center in Edinburg, TX. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg, TX.
A memorial celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 5th, at First United Methodist Church, 3707 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX, 78541. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Alan’s name to First United Methodist Church Edinburg’s Food Pantry, P.O. Box 25, Edinburg, TX, 78540, (956)381-9806.