Robert “Bob” Milton Roland, 82, died Jan. 17, 2012. He was born in Kansas City, Kan., on Dec. 2, 1929, to Robert Chester Roland and Helen Fern Phillipi.
He married Charlotte Ruth Payne, and the couple had three children. After his first wife's death, he married Ruth Z. Cross in 1999 and gained three stepchildren.
He entered the Marines as a private and retired from the Army 25 years later as a chief warrant officer. He served during the Korean War and in two tours of duty in Vietnam. He later received a number of honors including a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart while on active duty.
He served as mayor of Rio Hondo. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 437, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10428, Military Officers Association of America, Marine Corps League and Lake Forest III.
Survivors include wife Ruth Z. Roland; daughters Kia Taylor and husband Dennis of Des Moines, Iowa, and Shelley Lingard and husband Kermit of Eureka Springs, Ark.; son Roger Roland of Colombia, South America; stepchildren Chris Cross and wife Donita of Kansas City, Kan., Karen Webster and husband Ron of Palm Desert, Calif., and Nancy Kala and husband Andy of Hawaii; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister; and first wife Charlotte Ruth.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post 437 in Kingsland.
A memorial service is 11 a.m. Feb. 4 at the American Legion Post 437, located on RR 2545 in Kingsland. Lunch will be served by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 437 immediately after.






Comments