Rowland J. "Rollie" Hanson

HENDERSONVILLE - Rowland J. (Rollie) Hanson was welcomed into his eternal home on Tuesday, September 1, 2015.
Born in 1930, Rollie was 85 years young. He grew up in Saginaw, Michigan and was the oldest of three brothers. Rollie was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest J. and Adeline Hanson and his brother Jack.
Rollie graduated from Michigan State University, where he met his future wife, Anita. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, where he established many lifetime friendships. After graduating from Michigan State, Rollie served as a tank commander in the United States Army-82nd Airborne as a 2nd Lieutenant. Rollie's professional career was with Ford Motor Company, where he worked in human resources for 35 years.
While working at Ford, the Hanson's lived in Dearborn, Michigan. Rollie was an active Kiwanian and served as President of the Dearborn - Outer Drive Club in 1972. He was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn and enjoyed his involvement with the Dearborn Players Guild and tennis at the Fairlane Club. He was an athlete and avid sports fan. In 1948, Rollie was the state champion hurdler for Saginaw's Arthur Hill High School. He was a Michigan State Spartans enthusiast and a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan. Rollie enjoyed tennis, golf, reading and spending time with his family. He was a prolific letter writer, encouraging many friends and family members with his frequent notes and cards.
Rollie and Anita moved to Hendersonville in 1990 after Rollie's retirement from Ford Motor. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, and Pardee Hospital. Rollie also served on the Board of Directors for the Hendersonville Symphony. It was in Hendersonville that Rollie received the Legion of Honor award for 50 years of service to Kiwanis International.
Rollie was a people person and wrote newsletters in Cummings Cove and Glenbrook in the Hendersonville, NC area. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Rollie was a kind, gracious, funny and loving man. He had the ability to talk to anyone. People who met him only briefly would say, "There's a good man." Remarkably, Rollie would remember almost everyone he met and consider them a friend. So all his friends, family members and especially Anita, his wife of sixty-three years, mourn his passing, but celebrate his rich and wonderful life.
Rollie is survived by Anita, his wife of 63 years; daughters, Tammy and Cindy; son Greg; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild with another due in November; a brother, Dale; and the J.C. and D.F. Hanson family members.
A celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Hendersonville First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2015 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hendersonville Presbyterian Church Music Fund 699 N. Grove Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792 or Hendersonville Kiwanis Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 2138, Hendersonville, NC 28793.