Roland Francis Lukner

Roland Francis Lukner passed away peacefully on April 6, 2020 in Nashville Tennessee. He is survived by his son, Ralf Lukner (Beth) of Pampa, TX; son, Hans Lukner (Sonja) of Sedro-Woolley, WA; daughter, Gwen Gordon (Frank) of Nashville, Tennessee; brother Herbert Lukowitsch of Wichita, KS, and 11 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Catherine, David, Joseph, Steven, Erik, Sven and Karina Lukner and Gavin, Cam and Taylor Gordon. He is preceded in death by his wife, Tatjana Kutilin Lukner; parents, Artur Lukowitsch and Alexandra Kudrin Lukowitsch; and brother, Arnold Lukowitsch.

He was born Roland Arturovich Lukovich on October 19, 1934 in the city of Enakievo in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. After the German invasion in 1941 and subsequent retreat of the German Army in 1943, Roland’s family was evacuated to Northern Germany, where Roland completed High School. He was deeply saddened by the effect of the war on his family.

He went on to complete an electrical apprenticeship in Germany and later immigrated to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, with sponsorship through the First United Methodist Church of Bartlesville. While working as an electrical designer, he completed his B.A. at the University of Tulsa, his M.A. at the University of Kansas, and his M.S. in Counseling and Guidance at Troy State University.

He and his wife, Tatjana, were married on December 31, 1966 in Bartlesville, OK. The couple moved to Pennsylvania where he taught German, Russian, and German History at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. They then moved to Maryville, Tennessee where he taught at Maryville College and later The University of Tennessee Chattanooga. In 1972, he moved his family to West Germany where he taught European Culture, German and English languages at a local German High School and at The University of Maryland, European Division. He also worked at the Hahn Airforce Base as an Addiction Counselor. With the heart of an educator, he exposed his family to the many art galleries and museums throughout western Europe. In 1979, he moved his family to Bartlesville, OK, to work at Phillips 66.

In 1987, the family moved to Dallas, Texas, where he worked at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. He and wife Tatjana retired to Nashville, TN in 2007.

Throughout his life, he published numerous articles and books. This work reflected his passion for translating German literary works and folklore. He liked to discuss Philosophy and Art. He spoke and wrote perfect English, German, and Russian. He was a life-long scholar of cultures and humanities and provided insight into the importance of these studies to his family and students.

Memorial contributions can be made to Pencil Foundation or Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Art Museum. A private graveside service will be held on April 9, 2020 at Woodlawn Memorial Park.