Robert Arthur Rollstin, M.D. (2008)
BUSH, COMISAR, LARKIN, ROLLSTIN, SHIELDS
Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:35
The Lansing State Journal
Lansing, Michigan
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Main Edition
Page 12, Column 3Robert Arthur Rollstin, M.D.
WilliamstonRobert Arthur Rollstin, M.D., formerly of East Lansing and Ft. Myers, Fl., was born on December 24, 1922 in Winterset, Iowa, to Arthur and Clara Rollstin, and died on December 17, 2008, in Lansing Michigan. Dr. Rollstin was raised in Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended high school graduating in 1940. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942.
During World War II, he was stationed in Guam and served the United States until 1945. After his discharge, he returned to Pella, Iowa, attended Central College, and met his wife of 61 years, Wilma “Billie” Hugh (Shields). They were married on October 18, 1947 and moved to Iowa City, Iowa. He enrolled at the University of Iowa and the couple’s first child—Bobbie Frank (Comisar)—was born during his undergraduate studies. He graduated from University of Iowa School of Medicine in 1953, and completed his internship with the United States Army at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1954.
After his internship, Dr. Rollstin joined General Motors’ Oldsmobile Division in Lansing, Michigan, and became the Medical Director in 1958. During his 26 years at Oldsmobile, Dr. and Mrs. Rollstin had two more children—William Arthur and Gerry Ann (Larkin). He cared for thousands of sick and injured Oldsmobile employees and oversaw the operations of the Medical Department during his service to General Motors. Although the practice of medicine was his passion, he truly enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow Oldsmobile employees.
During his years at Oldsmobile, Dr. Rollstin enjoyed boating on Lake Michigan, keeping several boats in Holland, Michigan. In 1972, he built a cottage in Lake City Michigan, on Lake Missaukee, where he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends boating, snowmobiling, and socializing.
After retiring from Oldsmobile in 1980, Dr. and Mrs. Rollstin moved to Cape Coral, Florida, where they resided until 1992. During this time, he enjoyed boating and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the adjoining waterways. In 1992, they moved to Fort Myers, Florida and resided there until moving back to Michigan in 2008. While in Fort Myers, he pursued his favorite sport—golfing. He carded his first and only hole-in-one on the 12th hole at his home course, Olde Hickory Country Club in 1996.
Dr. Rollstin enjoyed working crossword puzzles with his wife every morning. He was an avid reader of every kind of fictional genre and daily news sources. He maintained his medical license after his retirement and regularly attended professional meetings and seminars. Throughout his lifetime, he never lost his desire to learn.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Rolland Clare, and his sister, Shirley Faith (Bush). Dr. Rollstin cherished his three grandchildren—Clayton, Jenna, and William. He is survived by his daughter’s husbands, Bruce R. Comisar and Charles J. Larkin, and by his son’s wife, Lisa D. Rollstin. His wit was enjoyed by those he called his friends and by all members of his family.
A memorial visitation is scheduled for January 10, 2009, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan. The family asked that donations be made to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 West Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906
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