DR. ALFRED BROOKS ROLLINS JR.

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ALFRED ROLLINS Obituary

DR. ALFRED BROOKS ROLLINS JR. - NORFOLK, Va. - Dr. Alfred Brooks Rollins Jr., born May 28, 1921, in Presque Isle, Maine, to Clarissa (Jack) and Alfred B. Rollins Sr., died Feb. 20, 2013, in Norfolk, Va., at the age of 91. He was the cherished husband of Helen Jones since 1981. He is survived by children, John D. Rollins (Debbie) of Cheshire, Conn., James S. Rollins (Cynthia Van Zandt) of Portsmouth, N.H., and Nancy J. Rowell (Willard) of Highgate, Vt.; grandsons, Daniel Rollins (Allison Burr), Andrew Rollins (Lauren), and Scott Rollins (Caitlin); two granddaughters, Hannah Van Zandt Rollins, and Elizabeth Rowell (Andrew Porwitzky); great-grandchild, Xavier; sister, Marjorie Myer (Robert) of Florence, Ky.; half brothers, Christopher and Richard Rollins of Florida; four nieces and one nephew; and sister-in-law, Mary Burkhart, and nephew, Harry Burkhart, of Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ernestine McMullin in 1972; and his second wife, Faith Kenyon Prior in 1979. Al grew up in Hartford, Conn., and graduated with honors from Hartford High. His college career was launched at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. Upon graduation in 1942, Al enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a private and served in the 450th Bomb Group, 720th Bomb Squadron in Manduria, Italy. He was honorably discharged from the service as First Lieutenant, after 50 successful missions. Our country's first black army pilots flew cover for these missions, and Al appreciated just how well they did their job. For his valor, Al received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four clusters. He returned to Wesleyan after the war, and received an M.A. in History in 1946. He continued his graduate education at Harvard University and received a Ph.D. in 1948. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Chi Psi. Al began his lifetime of teaching as an Instructor at New Paltz State Teachers College in l948, and was a full professor when he left in 1963. In 1963, he became Chair of the History Department at SUNY at Binghamton. In 1967, he moved to the University of Vermont as a Professor, and soon became Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences then Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1976, he arrived at Old Dominion University as the University President and led the university until 1985. He left the Presidency in 1985 and returned to teaching history at ODU, until he retired in 1991. A memorial service will be held at Old Dominion University, Webb Center, on Friday, March 8, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. Burial will take place later this spring in Al's family cemetery in Conway, N.H. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hdoliver.com. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a charity of your choice; or the ODU Alfred B. Rollins Jr. Scholarship Fund for Minority Students, Attn: University Scholarship Coordinator, Office of Student Financial Aid, Old Dominion University, 121 Alfred B. Rollins Jr. Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529-0052.

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Published by The Burlington Free Press on Mar. 2, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for ALFRED ROLLINS

8 Entries

April 1, 2013

Condolences to the family from the 450th Bomb Group memorial Association.
The world has lost another hero.

Bob and Rebecca Schrader/Mancell

March 7, 2013

Dear John and family,
We are sorry for the loss of your father. What a long and interesting life he had - you will have many memories to cherish.

Garrison Nelson

March 5, 2013

In early 1968, I was a 25 year-old ABD from the University of Iowa who was interviewing for a job at the University of Vermont to teach a course on political parties. As I began my talk to the department, I was stunned to learn that the new Dean of the Arts College was in the room. He introduced himself as Al Rollins and said he was interested in hearing me speak because he had taught the political parties course at his previous college. Needless to say, my tension level jumped dramatically. The talk went well. I was hired (and still teach political parties at UVM 45 years later). Al and I became very close friends and he was unfailingly supportive during our shared time together at UVM. He was pleased that I had been published in THE PROGRESSIVE, a magazine for which he wrote book reviews. He was a stalwart during a particularly contentious academic freedom fight that we had on the UVM campus. He went out of his way to support my tenure decision when my activities during the academic freedom case had estranged me from two powerful (and once supportive) department colleagues. I owe much of my academic career to Al. My only regret is that I should have told him this long ago.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this memory with his loved ones.

Annabel & Hal Sacks

February 27, 2013

We offer our sincere condolences to the family of this gentle man who was a marvellous leader, role model, and friend.

February 27, 2013

We used to ride together to weekly exercise class. The Washingtons and Guys chatted most of the commute, and Al listened. When he spoke, it was always obvious he had kept up with the conversation. An amazing and multi-faceted gentleman.
Suzanne Guy

Peter Mark

February 26, 2013

Al Rollins was a dignified, thoughtful, enlightened and generous leader in the community at a crucial time in the cultural development of Norfolk. His friendship and leadership is definitely part of what made Hampton Roads "great!"

Cynthia Goulet

February 24, 2013

I dare say most people do not remember who was the University president when they were attending but I distinctly remember Dr. Rollins arrival and the dramatic impact he had on ODU. Thank you sir for your efforts. My condolences to his family.

Jane Ellen Glasser

February 24, 2013

Al, seer, generous soul, dear friend,
I treasure memories of the years you gathered writers in your home for rich sharing. You will be missed by many. Condolences to Helen and Al's family. Jane

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