Obituary: Richard A. Roland

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Richard A. Roland
Richard A. Roland

NAUGATUCK — Richard A. Roland, 86, of 178 Morris St., the husband for over 58 years of Erika H. Roland, died Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in West Haven.

Mr. Roland was born on May 30, 1930, in Waterbury, a son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Sohl) Roland. His stepmother was the late Anne (Bienvenue) Roland.

He was a graduate of Naugatuck High School, Class of 1949. He entered the U.S. Army in
August 1949, retiring on July 31, 1973, as a master sergeant, E-8 with 23 years of active military service. His assignments included two tours in Korea; two tours in Germany; FT Belvoir, Va.; FT Benning, Ga.; Armed Forces Courier Station at the Pentagon; FT Hamilton, N.Y.; FT Drum, N.Y.; First Army Headquarters at Governors Island, N.Y.; and First Army Headquarters at FT Meade, Md.

His awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal,
Army Good Conduct Medal with silver clasp two loops, National Defense Service with oak leaf cluster, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.

He was employed in August 1973 by Beneficial CT DNC, working in Waterbury and Wallingford, for 22 years as a customer service manager and retiring in May 1995.

He was a member of the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Naugatuck, (Grace Lutheran Church), where he served on the church council and the fellowship and usher committees. He was a member of the Connecticut Valley Vagabonds Walking Club; a life member of Crusader Post 1946 VFW in Naugatuck, a life member of Retired Enlisted Association, Aurora, Colo.; and a member of the Wolcott Post 0165, American Legion.

Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Gerhard W. Roland of Waterbury and Michael J. Roland of Naugatuck; two brothers, Charles Roland of Naugatuck and John Roland of Powell, Wyo.
Mr. Roland was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph “Pepper” Roland and William Roland.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 170 Coen St., Naugatuck. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. There are no calling hours and arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.