Happy Birthday Roland, he always had everyone's birthdays on the scout calendar so that everyone would be recognized. I think of the big guy often and the things he did for all of us, Quietly.
BJ
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Roland was always the fun older cousin who had the patience and demeanor to play with us younger little cousins during family gatherings at our grandparents’ house. So sorry for your loss…
Lee Van Dyke
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2019, Independence, MO, USA
New Black Bear restaurant menu in 2019 featured photo of Roland with debate team his senior year in 1972
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2019, Independence, MO, USA
New Black Bear restaurant menu cover in 2019 had photo of Roland with Chrisman High School debate team his senior year in 1972
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I remember the first time I met Roland. Norma had brought him to our house to meet my parents. While they were there, Roland went to the front yard with us kids and took turns spinning us around in the air. I remember us kids afterwards saying to each other, "I hope she picks THIS one!"
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Norma Sue and Family
All love, thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Martha Sue Gough Ginzel
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1973, Excelsior Springs, MO, USA
Roland (center), myself (r), and Mark Harvey practicing for the rifle class we were teaching at Camp Doniphan church camp summer 1973
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Jeremy,
I am so sorry for your Family's loss. Your Dad was clearly a special Man who meant a lot to many people. Please accept my condolences... Ed
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This video are special moments that my sons and I and others had with Roland over the years. I respected Roland tremendously for his sacrifices he made in his life to help kids and adults mature into fine young men and better men. Not to mention his unbelievable knowledge in so many different areas. I’m truly saddened as with my kids for the passing of Roland. He is in a better place now and his suffering is done. We consider ourselves so fortunate to of had him in our lives. He will be deeply missed by all
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I am so sorry to hear the news of Mr. Francis’ passing. He was a phenomenal teacher and mentor. The time he took to spark interest in his students was a labor of love and this was apparent in his engagement with those he taught and mentored. He was a kind and compassionate individual with a great sense of humor and these traits showed up in all of his interactions. The time and energy he invested in me as a student, and as a human-being, made a huge difference in my life and I am very grateful our paths crossed. I think of him often and am so appreciative for the belief he had in me and for the positive impact he has had on my life. I am sending my condolences to your family and pray you take solace in the wonderful things Mr. Francis accomplished throughout his life. He was truly one of a kind and the world is a better place because of all he did!♥️
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I have always been grateful to Roland for joining the Columbia House Record Club and bringing a new mailing he had just received of a buncha new record albums with him to our cabin the week of church camp at Camp Doniphan in the summer of 1972. We played one of the albums repeatedly every day by a group we had never heard of - British rock band Uriah Heep (their Look at Yourself album), and they instantly became and remain to this day my all-time favorite group whom I eventually got to meet backstage of the Greek Theater in Los Angeles 40 years later. Thanks Roland!
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I am so sorry to hear of Roland’s passing. I had the privilege of teaching with Roland in Carrollton, Mo. He was one of the finest gentlemen I’ve ever known and an exemplary educator. Both of my children were fortunate to have him as their teacher. He touched so many lives…a life well lived. God bless all of you! May you find comfort in your beloved memories…❤️
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1981, Independence, MO, USA
Roland being interviewed with Brad Voelker on local cable TV show about his co-starring role in a black & white Super 8 movie comedy Western
— with
Roland and Brad Voelker
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We transitioned into Boy Scouts with my second son, Jared. We were fortunate because we had a lot of dad's move up with their boys. At one weekly meeting, one of the dad's said he felt as if the boys weren't progressing fast enough. I had the privilege of working with Roland when my first son, Justin, came up through scouts. I told the dad that Roland has a plan. If the boys show up to meetings and campouts, your son will progress just fine.
Roland did this by a guiding hand and a kind word. Providing opportunities for the boys to advance without them even realizing that was what they were doing.
As for me, I must say that I too got a guiding hand and a kind word. Thank you Roland, for your dedication to the boys and this dad, through our Scouting years.
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