Roland E. "Roly" Linstad

1949 - 2022

Chelmsford

Roland E. "Roly" Linstad, 72, a longtime Chelmsford resident and retired Chelmsford Police Officer, recently of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on March 28, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the beloved husband of Bethany Ann (Mullen) Linstad with whom he shared 21 years of marriage.

Roly was born in Chelmsford on October 15, 1949, and was the son of the late Russell H. and Claire E. (Rooney) Linstad Woodhead.

Roly served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 as an aircraft commander on a Huey helicopter gunship as Falcon 88. During which time he earned The Soldier's Medal for saving the lives of two crew mates, the Air Medal with "V" device, The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Aviator Badge.

After his military service, Roly continued serving the public as Police Officer and later a detective in the Chelmsford MA Police Department for 32 years.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Roly. He had an uncanny ability to find happiness in his daily activities. His love of life was evident in the way he lived. His pleasant personality was contagious to everyone he met. He was beloved by everyone who ever met him, a fantastic father, a great husband, grandfather, and a best friend to all walks of life.

He chose simple over flashy, and was deeply sentimental. With an enthusiastic spirit, determined grit, and a smile, he will be remembered as a brave warrior who embodied courage.

In addition to his loving wife, Roly leaves his sons; Erik Linstad and his wife Kerry Linstad of Weare, NH and Nathan Linstad and his wife Melinda Linstad of Hopkinton, NH and his 3 grandchildren Arik, Kira, and Nolan and brother Russell "Butch" Linstad and his wife Arlene Blake of Chelmsford and many loved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Aleene Woodhead Burt and his stepfather Frank Woodhead.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2022 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. His funeral service will be held on Monday at 10AM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 242 Boston Rd., CHELMSFORD. KINDLY GATHER AT THE CHURCH. Interment to follow with Military Honors at Pine Ridge Cemetery, CHELMSFORD. Memorial donations may be made in Roly's name to the Veteran Homelessness Program of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org/veteran-homelessness. Funeral Directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. and Jennifer Hardy. For directions and online condolences please visit CHELMSFORDFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.



View the online memorial for Roland E. "Roly" Linstad