Scott Frederick Holbeck Obituary
Scott "Scotty" Frederick Holbeck, 30, son of Barbara Ann Cieslewicz and Frederick Champe Holbeck, of Arizona, passed away peacefully in his sleep, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, in Billings, Montana. Scott was born on April 14, 1991, his due date, in Missoula, Montana. His dad used to say "Scott was our tax reminder.". He was the third of three children. It was an untimely death; he hadn't lived a full life, but he was relieved from his suffering.
He married Katie Duncan on October 31, 2017. Now there are two Katie Holbecks! Scott called me one time, to tell me about Katie. He thought she was the most wonderful woman in the world. Katie gave Scott a cat, which he adored and named him Rhone. Scott and Katie divorced, but remained friends. They lived in Lewistown, Montana, where Scott moved after leaving Missoula.
Scott was fun-loving and enjoyed the outdoors. He preferred solo sports like skate boarding, mountain biking, and snowboarding. Scott began bowling when he was only two and soon followed in his father's bowling footsteps.
Scott loved cooking. His first professional stint was at the Whitefish Ski Resort. Part of the deal was he could snowboard for free, he just had to find a way to the lodge, and Scott would often hitch hike to the slopes. That lasted about three months, then it was back to Missoula.
Next, he worked for Blue Canyon Restaurant, in Missoula, Montana, and later moved to the Bitterroot Country Club Restaurant, where he became a sous chef. Scott had a lot of responsibility, being second in command, often working 80-hour weeks. It became very stressful, but he stuck with it.
On Christmas Eve, 2014, Scott cooked for me and his girlfriend at the time, Kelsey, two Cornish hens (it sounds like "The 12 Days of Christmas"), mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing from scratch, along with broccoli and cranberries. It was delicious! He certainly knew what he was doing. Kelsey tried going for a walk with me, but it was too icy. While Scott cooked dinner, Kelsey and I worked on a puzzle in my bedroom.
When Scott was three, he said to Fred, his dad, "Wipe that silly smile off your face!". He was mimicking his dad's favorite line. One day, Scott and I drove to Seeley Lake, to visit Joy Stocking, my running and hiking friend. We went for a hike, and part way through, Scott said "My kneebow hurts," instead of elbow. What a funny soul! Joy said she still uses that term.
Both Erik, his older brother, and Scott loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When Scott was five, he did Ninja kicks in the living room in front of the TV, while watching a video. I asked him if he'd like to take Karate lessons. Scott said, "I don't need to because I can learn everything by watching videos.". What a kid! And he saved us money, too.
Scott's favorite indulgences included Oreo cookies, Rollo's, and blue, vanilla Fruit Chews.
Scott liked to fish, which his dad taught him. When Scott was in third grade, he asked his classmates to call him, "Fisher," because he liked to fish.". I would take him to McCormick Park to fish in Silver's Lagoon. There were sunfish in the pond and Scott was so excited when he caught one.
Scott's cousin Spencer Barrus (Bart and Laura's oldest son), remembers visiting one summer, when Spencer was 13 and Scott about 10. Spencer had this to say about Scott: "Scott was into skate boarding and I was getting into it too. I thought Scott was so cool. He took me to the skate shop, helped me pick out a new skate board and even took me to the skate park. He was very patient and took the time to show me how to ride a mini half pipe and how to drop in on some bigger ramps.".
A few days later, they talked Fred into taking them to a lake, to fish. Spencer remembers, "Just the two of us fishing in a boat and having a great time. I still remember the big rainbow trout Scott caught. It was the biggest one I've ever seen in person." (By the way, it was five pounds!) "I always loved to see Scott. He was a fun person to be around and his laugh always made me laugh. I will always remember Scott as a fun-loving person with a big heart and a lot of energy.".
A memory that I have of Scott, took place in June, 1998, when the two of us drove to St. George, Utah, for Jared and Jen's wedding, Paul and Kathy's oldest son. Scott spent a lot of time with his cousin JJ Cieslewicz (their youngest son), Jared is JJ 's brother, Scott's cousin, who taught Scott how to tie flies for fishing. Scott sat quietly in the back seat of the car all the way home, tying flies. For Christmas that year, we bought Scott a fly-tying kit. He absolutely loved it, getting up in the middle of night to tie flies using his headlamp.
Later in life, Scott liked to be called "Scotty.". That's how he would sign his emails to me.
Erik told Kathi Muneoka (my friend forever) and me on Sunday, March 6, 2022, a story that goes something like this. Scott wanted to hang out with Erik and his friends when they were playing video games. He wanted to be part of Erik's group, but Erik really didn't like Scott hanging with them because he was four years younger. Once Scott found out where Erik's friend Jim lived, near Subway on Reserve Street, he made a plan to join the them at Jim's. When Erik was working at Subway, Scott brought a Hot & Ready pizza from Little Caesar's, and used that as a way to get into Jim's, and hang out with the gang. Erik said from then on, Scott's nickname was "Scott 'n Ready.".
This was added May 18, 2022: Another memory I have a Scott took place when he was about four years old. We used to go to Showcase Video to rent movies. It was winter when Scott and I went there. Scott wore his winter coat, snow boots, and shorts. Gary, the owner, cracked up when he saw how Scott was decked out. Scott was quite a sight and was always his own person.
Scotty is survived by his parents; his sister Katie Holbeck (her husband John Sanford and their two children, Scotty's nephews, Lincoln and J.J), of Lewistown, Montana, and brother, Erik Holbeck and his wife Amanda Brundidge of Austin, Texas.
Cremation has taken place. Services will be announced and held later.
