Roland Birkner

Of Palatine

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Roland Birkner, 63, who quietly passed away on April 29, 2024, at his home in Palatine, IL, which he shared with his wife, Kim, and his best bud, Bentley.

A cherished husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend, Roland was born on April 16, 1961, in Paterson, NJ to Roland and Catherine (Manzo) Birkner.

Roland’s vast career was spent as an underwriter at MetLife, Northwestern Mutual, Aetna, and most recently as Vice President and Chief Underwriter for the WTW Human Capital Placement Practice in Chicago. He was loved and will be remembered by his colleagues for his teamwork, approachability, financial and risk management analysis, as well as his ability to keep a lighthearted work atmosphere.

Roland, the reluctant traveler, always accompanied his road warrior wife, as they traveled to Hawaii multiple times and experienced off-the-beaten-path adventures on every island. Their 30th anniversary was celebrated in London and Paris. Other trips included Mackinac Island, visiting friends and colleagues in Connecticut and Massachusetts, touring the East/West Coast, and family trips to the Outer Banks, Maine, and California.

Roland had a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed by his wife of 36 years, Kim (Sullivan) Birkner; siblings Patricia (Brian) Marshall and Susan (Jeff) Chumbley; loving nieces and nephews Trevor, Goddaughter Taylor and Tegan Chumbley, and Kelly, Godson Daniel, Michelle, and David Marshall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Scott Birkner and his wonderful dogs Sparky, Rugbyy, and Cricket.

A celebration to honor Roland's life will be private.