Obituary of Richard Theodore Roland

Heaven needed another angel, and who better than Rick Roland. Rick was called to service on Thursday, March 11, 2021 after a two week battle with Covid-19. In true Rick fashion he went to help.

Rick was born on February 8, 1951 to Margaret and Ted Roland. He grew up on the farm west of Cymric. He attended school in Govan where he made lifelong friends. After graduation Rick attended university in Regina and Toronto. He completed his teaching degree and taught at Carievale, St. Brieux, and Nokomis. Rick gave up full-time teaching in 1977 when he took over the family farm. He remained on the substitute list for many years. 

One of Rick’s biggest undertaking on the farm was renovating the big old farmhouse, making it the most majestic house on the Cymric road. He did this while farming. In 1979, he subsidized their income by working for the federal government as a project officer helping refugees start their new lives in Regina.

Being back home on the farm allowed him to remain active in the sports he loved. Playing ball with the Govan Red Sox was a highlight. He also enjoyed curling, badminton and skiing.

Rick’s passion for helping people led him to a career in real estate where he was able to help people find the house of their dreams. He went above and beyond to provide the best service possible for his clients. It was not unlike him to show up with his tools to help his clients fix something, drive them to unrelated appointments, or babysit their kids.

His generous nature did not stop with work. Rick was a dedicated member of the Industrial Park Rotary Club. With their motto being “service above self” the fit was perfect. Rick volunteered for many other organizations including Salvation Army Christmas Campaign, Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Ovarian Cancer Society of Saskatchewan to name a few. He served on the Board of Directors and was past Chairperson of the Association of Regina Realtors. Rick was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Regina, where he assisted any way he possibly could.

Rick’s caring for others rose to an entirely new level when his friend Vel McMillian, became terminally ill. Rick was named as joint guardian for her two children. Rick did not take this responsibility lightly. He attended many of DJ’s sports events and was looking forward to her graduation this year.

But Rick’s real pride and joy, was his family. The lights of his life were his children and grandchildren, Mitchell (Valerie), Emma and Madison of Puerto Adventuras, Mexico and Liliana of Mexico; Dionne, Nathan and Nikita of Nelson, BC; and Taylor of Copenhagen, Denmark. He was active in his children’s lives and apparently was the best at putting them to bed. He had more patience than most. Time passed quickly and those children soon became parents, giving him the greatest gift, grandchildren. There was nothing more important to him than spending time, preferably in person, but also virtually with his grandchildren, Madison, Emma, Nathan and Nikita. He drove through snow and rainstorms or flew at inconvenient times just to be with them. He showed off with pride every video or drawing his grandkids sent. Nikita and Nathan loved to ride around in his convertible with the top down and tunes blasting…truly the coolest grandpa ever. Although, Taylor was across the ocean, it never stopped the two of them from spending time together.  Rick was very proud of the work she does with Unicef.

Rick will live on in each of his children: Mitch shares his father’s ability to dream big, Dionne his compassion and Taylor his sharp wit and all of them share his zest for life. All qualities that would make their dad proud.

Rick will be forever remembered by his family and his thousands of friends, for his smile, his sparkling blue eyes, kindness and quick wit. He was beyond generous and would help anyone at any time. Rick gave more than he ever had. His heart was bigger than him.

Rick leaves to mourn: his children, Mitchell, Dionne and Taylor; his grandchildren, Liliana, Emma, Madison, Nathan and Nikita, his sisters Linda (Dale) Oblander, Shaun (Terry) Macomber, and Kathy (Andy) Cook, his nieces and nephews, colleagues and friends.

Thank you to all the healthcare staff at the Regina General Hospital on 5E & ICU, with special thanks to Dr. Joan Hamilton, Dr. Rao, and ICU nurse Justin Rae, to Rev. Joel Russell-MacLean, and to the numerous friends, colleagues and family for all your support, prayers and well wishes.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of Rick’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Rick to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Rotary Club of Regina.

If you have a special memory of Rick please share it in our Facebook group,  Sharing Place for Rick Stories at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/295403765280998.