Roland E. Roederer

Roland Roederer, 97, Fishers, passed away on January 6, 2024. He was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana to Edward and Julia Hessie (Keeton) Roederer.

Roland graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1944.  While a student at the University of Notre Dame, he completed Navy ROTC training.  Upon graduation, in 1948, with a degree in Business Administration, he served our country in the U.S. Navy with the rank of Ensign.

On May 20, 1950, Roland married Mary Rose Slott in South Bend, Indiana. She proceeded him in death on December 22, 2021, after 71 years of marriage. Above anything else Pops truly loved and cherished his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. A visit with his great grandchildren would bring the most delightful smile to his face and a sparkle to his beautiful blue eyes. Did you really visit with Pops if you didn’t invade his cookie jar of vanilla wafers? Survivors include his three sons: Benjamin (Marilee) Roederer of Fremont, Indiana, Charles (Barbara) Roederer of Carmel, Indiana, and James (Peggy) Roederer of Fishers, Indiana.  Ten grandchildren: Lisa (Shad) Weber, Kyle Roederer, Kristin (Kevin) Smith, Kraig (Wendy) Roederer, Amy (Mark) Urbanski, Lauren (Colin) May, Tom (Melanie Denaro) Roederer, Elizabeth (Kyle) Mackey, Michael Roederer, and James Quinn (Abigail) Roederer. Ten great grandchildren: Abigail and Alex Weber, Madeline, Kinley and Elisabeth Urbanski, Connor and Emily May, Claire Smith, Frances, and James Mackey.

In addition to his parents and wife, Pops was proceeded in death by his brother Clarence Roederer and four sisters, Gladys May, Mildred Wheeler, Margaret Hammer, and Ruth Knieriam.

Roland was a long-time employee of Associates Financial Services, in South Bend, Indiana.  At the time of his retirement in 1990, he was the Vice-President of Commercial Leasing & Trucking.  At a ceremony in New York City, he received the prestigious National Associates Employee of the Year Award. He and mom spent many wonderful retirement years in Ft. Myers, Florida. Pops was always up for a challenge and did not begin mastering his game of golf until he was in his 60’s. He taught us, it is never too late to try something new!

“Grandpa", as he was known to his grandchildren & great grandchildren, enjoyed coaching his sons' & grandsons' youth baseball teams.  He officiated countless baseball, softball, football & basketball games, at all levels in the St. Joseph County area. In the 1980s, during the National Football League officials' strike, he even officiated an NFL exhibition game.

When the Notre Dame football team played a home game on Saturdays in the fall, Roland was on the visitors' sidelines working on the "chain gang", for 40 years. You might have seen Pops in the movie “Rudy.”  We were much more excited about that, than he ever was!  As a long-time member of the St. Joe Valley Officials Association, he spent many evenings acting as an editor of the high school athletics' rule books.

Dad was the hardest working man at his home & anywhere else help was needed.  He could fix anything, trim any landscaping, replace any bike chain, sharpen any lawn mower blade, and taught his children and grandchildren that Sundays were for washing the cars.  He viewed his tool room as his sanctuary. You knew not to enter without an invite! Even as a young boy, he helped the milkman with deliveries before school, treasuring the coins he made on those early mornings. 

The family would like to express their gratitude to his caregiver Michelle Schofield. Thank you for the comfort you gave Pops, as well as the wonderful insights, knowledge, and emotional support you showed our family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Good Shepherd Chapel), 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. Visitation is one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are being handled by Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer’s Association 8180 Greensboro Dr. Suite 400 McLean VA, 22102 or by using this link: 

https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=51079&51079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google_SL&gad_source=5