Classic Caladiums Co-Founder Richard Hollander Passes Away

Posted by Brian Sparks|July 7, 2023

Richard Hollander, the co-owner of Abbott-IPCO and Classic Caladiums, passed away on June 19, 2023, surrounded by his family and close friend, Angie. He was 58.

Born in Holland, Richard moved to the U.S. at six months old when his Dutch parents immigrated from Holland. Early on, he expressed his competitive nature, first through soccer and later in the horticulture business. As a graduate of Texas Tech University, Richard excelled in sales and joined his father, Harry Hollander, at Abbott-IPCO in 1990.

Though Abbott-IPCO had sold bulbs for decades, Harry and his partners shook the caladium industry by starting their own nursery, Classic Caladiums, in 2000 specifically to develop new genetics for the industry. Since its inception, Richard worked with the Classic team in developing more than 90 patented unique caladium varieties. He was proud that he named many of the company’s most popular varieties. In 2014, Harry retired and handed the management reins to his sons, Richard and Marvin. Most recently, the third generation of Hollanders, Richard’s son Ryan and Marvin’s son Jake, have joined the company.

Richard was exceedingly passionate in every endeavor in life: high school and college sports, fantasy sports, horticulture, and music, especially blues. He loved his family, loved his company, and loved the horticulture industry. He was a strong advocate and never missed an opportunity to make his voice heard. He was a gifted listener, had a generous heart, was a faithful friend, and considered his coworkers as family. Richard was a force of nature and will be greatly missed.

Richard Hollander was preceded in death by his wife, Janice, and by his father, Harry. He is survived by his son, Ryan, his mother, Hetty, his brother, Marvin and sister-in-law Felecia, nephews Jake and Jason, and niece Katie.