Wayne Gilbert Rollins

Wayne G. Rollins, 96, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025. Wayne was born on August 24, 1929, the son of Arthur Gilchrist Rollins and Ethel Kaminski Rollins of Detroit, Michigan. Following graduation from Salem Lutheran Parochial School and Southeastern High School, where he was one of four class valedictorians, Wayne earned a B.A. in philosophy at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, and a B.D., M.A., and Ph.D. at Yale University in the field of Biblical studies.
Wayne and his beloved wife Donnalou (married in 1953) and their three sons, Michael, Thomas, and David, came to West Hartford in 1966 when Wayne became Professor of New Testament studies at the Hartford Seminary Foundation (1966-74). He previously served on the faculties at Princeton University (1958-59) and at Wellesley College (1959-66), where he also served on the Board of Preachers. He was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (1960).
From 1974 to 1999 Wayne served as Director of the Graduate Program in Theology and the Ecumenical Institute at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, and held visiting lecturer appointments at Yale University, The College of the Holy Cross, Mount Holyoke, and Colgate-Rochester Divinity School. His post-graduate and sabbatical studies took him to Cambridge University (U.K.), Harvard University, and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. In his retirement he held the position of Professor Emeritus at Assumption College and Adjunct Professor of Scripture at Hartford Seminary.
Wayne's writings include numerous articles and eight books, including The Gospels: Portraits of Christ; Jung and the Bible; Soul and Psyche: The Bible in Psychological Perspective. He also co-edited the four-volume work Psychology and the Bible: A New Way to Read the Scripture, and Psychological Insight Into the Bible: Texts and Readings. He was the founding chair of the Psychology and Biblical Studies Section of the Society of Biblical Literature, an international organization of biblical scholars. His colleagues in the field presented him with a published collection of essays entitled "Psychological Hermeneutics for Biblical Themes and Texts: A Festschrift in Honor of Wayne G. Rollins." In the year 2000 he became one of the first recipients of the Pope John XXIII Medal for Ecumenical Merit and Service awarded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, citing Wayne's "legacy of wit and wisdom, collegiality and cordiality, scholarship and sensitivity."
Beyond his professional life, Wayne was an active member of Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, where he frequently volunteered to lead continuing education discussions on New Testament topics. Wayne lived with a zest for life, welcoming acceptance of everyone in his circle, and deep love for his family and friends. Whether engaging with a student, colleague, new acquaintance, family member or friend, Wayne was a skillful listener who made people feel genuinely accepted and never rushed. His presence conveyed an authentic interest in others.
Wayne shared many passions with his soul-mate Donnalou, their sons, and close friends: travel, tennis, gardening, biking, walking, home tinkering, reading, singing, playing recorder, and the ever-blossoming treasure of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved language – both professionally and for fun – enjoying words, expressions and puns, and helping others discover their meaning. He and Donnalou led tour groups to Israel, Greece, and Italy and traveled through Europe, Thailand, China, Australia and New Zealand.
Wayne was predeceased in November by his wife of 72 years, Donnalou M. Rollins. He is survived by his three sons, Michael (Betsey) Rollins, Thomas (Lisa Cassidy) Rollins, and David (Linda) Rollins. He was the adoring grandfather of Suzanne (Renaldo Webb) Rollins, Allison Rollins, Meredith (Nick) Zaleski, Kathleen Rollins, Katherine Cassidy, Daniel Rollins and Sarah Rollins; and the loving great-grandfather of Apollo and Aurelia Webb, and Camden and Brody Zaleski. He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur G. Rollins, Jr., of Rio Verde, AZ and is survived by a loving sister-in-law, Kathleen Lezotte of Greencastle, Indiana.
Wayne will be forever remembered as a man of faith, intellect, kindness, humor, character and deep devotion to family and community.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Memory Care Team at St. Mary Home for their compassionate and dedicated support during Wayne's final year.
A Memorial Service celebrating Wayne's life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. Livestreaming will be available at www.ahcc.org.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foodshare CT Donate to Support Connecticut Foodshare or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com