EAST WALLINGFORD, Vt. – Dr. Richard Capel Holden, 71, passed away after a brief illness on Dec. 12, 2023, in New Haven, Conn.

Born in London, England, on March 7, 1952 to the late Patrick Cornish Holden and Jean Fisher Holden, Richard and his family relocated to the United States during his youth, where he attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio ('70), before earning his undergraduate degree at Yale University ('74).

Richard graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he was awarded the Peter T. Kilgour Prize, and completed his medical residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. In 1982, Richard joined the private practice Associated Women's Health Specialists, in Waterbury, Conn., where he worked as a partner obstetrician and gynecologist for 38 years.

A longtime resident of Southbury, Conn., Richard had recently retired to East Wallingford, Vt., with his wife Cyndie.

Richard was as passionate about music as he was about his work – an interest he passed along to all three of his children. He sang in many choruses throughout his life, including the Yale Glee Club and Alumni Chorus, the Yale Alley Cats, the Waterbury Chorale, and the church choirs at UCC Southbury and Grace Church, Rutland.

A lifelong gardener, Richard and Cyndie took great pleasure in surrounding their homes with beautiful floral landscapes – and recently completed the UVM Master Gardener program, working as active volunteers in their revitalization of The Boy and the Boot garden at Wallingford House. Their community outreach activities also included Rutland's Companions in Wholeness project.

Richard was an avid food and wine enthusiast, and skier, though his greatest love was traveling with his wife and family. From climbing Machu Picchu, to swimming the hot springs of Arenal Volcano, to fishing in the Sea of Galilee, to exploring the safaris of South Africa, Richard's desire to see the world – and the joy those adventures brought to him – was boundless.

Richard is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cynthia Caravatt Holden; daughters Avery (Aaron) and Whitney (Jason); son Matthew (Kina); grandchildren Calder, Mira and Elliot; brothers Mark (Becky) and David; and sister Jennifer (Geoff).

Active in church throughout his life, the family takes comfort in knowing Richard is now with the Lord.

A celebration of his life will be at the United Church of Christ in Southbury, Conn., on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the church. The family will also conduct a special burial ceremony this spring, in Ludlow, Vt., at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard's name to Companions in Wholeness.