Dr. Robert A. Hollen

Dr. Robert A. Hollen, 92, of Carlisle, passed away on July 25th, 2025. The good doctor was known by many different names to many different people. Some of his more common monikers were: Bob, Doctor Bob, Doc Hollen, Red, and Pappy Doctor.

Robert was born in Blandburg, PA, on November 6th, 1932, to the late Arthur and Edna (Swan) Hollen.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Karen (Knerr) Hollen, his children, Amy Hollen-Dilko, Douglas Hollen (Bernice), Bethann Blood (Ronald), David Hollen (Roxanne), John Hollen (Tawnia), his grandchildren, Natasha Nayduch (John), Gerald Hollen, Austin Blood, Ryan Blood (Kaitlyn) Alexander Blood, Sarah Hollen, Katie Hollen, Kia Hollen, Olivia Hollen, his 2 great grandchildren, Nora Nayduch and Gage Blood, and his nieces and nephews.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, James Hollen, and his sister, Emily Myers.

In his college years, Robert was an All-American distance runner at Penn State University, earning a space in the South-Central Chapter of PA Sports Hall of Fame. Robert earned his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and continued his education at Temple University, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1958, and was appointed to Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital, Harrisburg, PA. From 1959-1963, he served as captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corp during the Vietnam era, serving in Germany and England. Returning to the states, he and his first wife, Janet (Weston) Hollen, eventually ended up in Carlisle, where he ran his own family medical practice. He was a founding partner in the Belvedere Medical Center. He was a member of the American Academy of Family Practice and further served the community as the team doctor for Carlisle HighSchool. He was extremely proud to be the team physician for the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders) professional football team during their summer training camps at Dickinson College. He was well known at the former Carlisle Hospital and the many nursing homes in the area, and served for a time as the medical director at the Alliance Home (now Chapel Pointe).

He was active as a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Carlisle, singing in the choir and leading in the men’s group. He was a member of the Rotary Club, as well as the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

For many years, he hosted the annual "Camp Hollen" every summer, where three or even four generations of the Hollen family would come together to spend time with one another. Many great memories were made around the pool and yard of the “Hollen Farm.”

Robert made a lasting impact on many people in his lifetime, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 29th, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 21 S Bedford Street, Carlisle, PA 17013. A memorial service will be held directly following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church.