Rolland Glen "Rollie" BALDWIN

1929 - 2023

Left a legacy of commitment and service to family, church and community, when he died of cancer in his home on June 21. Rollie was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on November 19, 1929, and grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict and graduated from South Dakota State University. On May 25, 1952, he and Bebe Thompson began their 71 years of marriage. Rollie worked for Honeywell for more than 30 years. He completed his career as Director of Engineering for the Aerospace and Avionics Division. He was known as a brilliant manager who also cared about the wellbeing of his colleagues. He was an ordained elder and deacon in the Presbyterian Church. He was passionate about social justice. He served for many years on the Presbytery Mission Team that worked alongside Liberty Community Church in its community ministry in North Minneapolis. He was also committed to the rights of people who lived with disabilities. At Honeywell he developed an internship program that offered work experience to people who were blind, broadening their opportunities for future employment. The program became a national model. After his retirement, he worked as an advisor for employment issues at State Services for the Blind. His interest in children led him to serve for many years as a board member on Minnesota State Academy for the Blind Foundation. His four children remember him as a loving father who made each one feel special. He encouraged and supported them as they pursued their own dreams. He modeled care for each other and for others. Rollie was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Bessie, brother Robert and sister-in-law Jean. He is survived by wife Bebe, sons Michael and Douglas, daughters Elizabeth and Carol, grandchildren Jason and Lindsey, nephew Lee (Winnie), nieces Dianne Baldwin and Joan (Bud) Roe. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Rollie's life at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1200 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis) on July 15 at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00. A luncheon will follow the service. The family suggests memorials to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Liberty Community Church, New Life Presbyterian Church or the Alzheimer's Association.