Roland "Rollie" George Struss (1931-2012)

STRUSS, HAGEMEYER, DOVE, BAILEY, KROLL, UDEN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/19/2012 at 11:25:46

From Stevens Memorial Chapel obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Roland "Rollie" George Struss
April 9, 1931 - August 17, 2012

Roland "Rollie" George Struss, 81, of Ames, died August 17, 2012 at his home in Ames. Rollie battled several cancers during his lifetime, and lost his life to pancreatic and liver cancer. Rollie's celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Ames.

Roland George Struss was born April 9, 1931 in Juniata, Nebraska. He graduated from Juniata High School, joined the United States Army, served as a Second Lieutenant and was stationed in Korea. He received Bachelor of Science Degrees in both Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska and a Master's of Science Degree in Nuclear Engineering from Iowa State University.

Rollie married the love of his life, Wilma "Willie" Jean Hagemeyer, in 1956. Their strong and enduring marriage lasted nearly 56 years and was a beacon of light and an example of a loving partnership to all who knew them.

A nuclear engineer by trade, Rollie started his career at Sandia Corporation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he worked on a variety of nuclear testing projects. He joined the staff at Ames Laboratory, part of Iowa State University, in 1962. Rollie worked at Ames Lab for 34 years until he retired from his position as Associate Director for Operations. Rollie's career was wide and varied - - he led the Ames Lab reactor decommissioning project, worked to develop the solar energy programs, and even worked with Iowa State students on the solar car project.

Rollie was a true renaissance man. He and Willie bought a small farm north of Ames, where – over the years – they raised livestock and farmed crops. Their gardens were legendary; Rollie loved working in his vegetable garden right up until he and Willie sold the farm and moved to town this spring. Rollie loved working on the farm, which he and Willie turned into a showplace of beautiful gardens and a loving home. Rollie created incredibly detailed wood carvings; he painted; he restored antique clocks and other antique equipment. A mechanic to his core, no repair was too complicated - - if Rollie couldn't fix it, it wasn't broken.

Rollie also believed strongly in community work; he volunteered extensively throughout his life. He served as part of the lay leadership at Memorial Lutheran Church for many years; he worked tirelessly with the ISU College for Seniors – serving as Chair from 2004 – 2006 and teaching several classes, including a very popular course on energy. Rollie also served on the Board of the Ames Historical Society; he and Willie led the successful fundraising effort that secured a headquarters building for the Society. Rollie loved to travel - - he and Willie enjoyed trips to many parts of this beautiful country and abroad.

Rollie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many; it can truly be said that to meet Rollie was to meet a friend. He had a limitless curiosity and genuine interest in everyone he met, and took great joy in every adventure he undertook.

Rollie was baptized into the Christian faith and was a lifelong Lutheran; he was an active member of Memorial Lutheran Church in Ames since he moved to Ames with Willie in 1962.

Rollie is survived by his wife, Wilma "Willie" Struss, of Ames, children Sue Dove of Bethlehem Georgia, Doug (Carol) Struss of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nancy (Bert) Bailey of Seattle, Washington, and Colleen Struss of Alexandria, Virginia, and 7 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Bob Struss, his twin sister Ruth Kroll, his sister Carol Uden, and sister-in-law Betty Struss.

Rollie was preceded in death by his parents, George and Irene Struss, and his brother Harold Struss.

In lieu of flowers, Rollie requested memorials be directed to Memorial Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Stevens Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

http://www.stevensmemorialchapel.com/
 

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