David C. Holsworth

David Campbell Holsworth, 67, of Bellefonte, PA, passed away peacefully at home and into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. His wife, Deborah Boscaino and sister-in-law, Susan Poorman, were at his side.
David was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to Charles Wayne Holsworth and Margit Larsen Holsworth of Vineland, NJ, both deceased. The family moved that same year to Vineland, NJ, where Dave grew up and graduated from Vineland High School in 1972.
David spent his first two years at Muskingham College in New Concord, Ohio after bicycling there from southern NJ. He spent his last two years earning his bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.
Dave became a world class rock and ice climber, traveling and climbing many of the highest mountains of the world. He not only climbed extensively in the Rocky Mountains, but also Alaska, Mexico, Africa, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy, Austria and Germany.
Dave was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when he was in his 30’s, working in Wyoming for American Natives on the Wind River Reservation, living in Casper, WY. He was a computer specialist and was helping to set up a local network at that time. He spent many years before working for Dresser Industries in the oil and gas drilling business in the Rockies and then overseas in many countries. He taught English while living in Spain and upon returning to the United States, he made his home with his sister, Katharine, in State College, PA, where he obtained a position with Penn State’s World Campus from which he retired in 2010.
On November 7, 2004, Dave married Deborah Boscaino, his loving wife of 16 years and principal caregiver. Also surviving is one son, Lorenzo Larsen Holsworth, of Barbastro, Spain. Dave loved his yearly extended visits with his much-loved son as well as their weekly telephone calls. During his visits, Loren was devoted to caring for his father, entertaining him with conversations of varied intellectual topics. Both have a love of the out of doors including hiking, climbing and cross-country skiing.
David is survived by his sister, Katharine B. Holsworth of Vineland, NJ; his brother, Charles L. (Deborah) Holsworth of Corral De Tierra, CA; as well as nieces Holly (Robert) Coons of Anaheim Hills, CA, and Tiffany (Ted) D’Alessandro of Frisco, TX, five beautiful great-nieces and one nephew, Dustin Holsworth (Julie Bustamante) of Pittsburgh, PA.
He also leaves behind Deborah’s daughter, Kathryn Rogers Deitrich and her daughters, Hannah and Sophia Deitrich, and brothers-in-law, Michael Boscaino and Curtis Poorman all of Bellefonte, two nieces, one nephew and three great-nephews. Dave was the son-in- law of Joseph and JoAnne Boscaino, both deceased.
He was a member of the Christian Writers Roundtable of Central Pennsylvania. As a mountain climber, Dave had always considered death to be his worst fate. Until he discovered what he felt to be worse than death – a diagnosis of Relapsing Remitting MS that progressed to Secondary Progressive MS. Yet through his journey with this debilitating illness, the grace of a loving God profoundly impacted his life. Dave’s remarkable story of hope is found in the pages of his book, Fate Worse Than Death, Grace Better Than Life.
The family would like to thank their church family at Watermarke for their love and friendship over the years. Dave had so hoped to be able to worship with them again. Upon his arrival in State College, Dave attended State College Alliance Church where he actively served on their Disabilities Ministry. He also spent many years in the First Presbyterian Church in Vineland, NJ.
A huge thank you goes to Ascera Care Hospice team members Renee Kick, Sherry Bridges, Melissa Miller, Dawn Welker, Megan Rusko and Brooke Haubrick, all of whom provided excellent care.
Deborah would also to thank Carolyn Grubb, Michael Boscaino, Susan Poorman, Karen Gardner, Dan Reed, Joann Miller, Linda Carlson and Georgi Wayne for their love and devotion as caregivers, family and friends to Dave for so many years.
A special thank you to Dr. E. P. Roy and Dr. Hussein Aboul-Hosn, Emily Johnson CMA, and Katie Aurand who went above and beyond in the excellent care they provided.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family, when the threat of Covid-19 has been dispelled.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in David’s memory to Watermarke Church, Attn: Pastor Timothy Yates, 116 S. Spring Street, Suite A, Bellefonte, PA, 16823 or Ascera Care Hospice, 1015 Logan Boulevard, Altoona, PA, 16602.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 201 Spring Street, Milesburg, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.deankwetzlerfuneralhome.com.