Leonard Steven Rolnick

Dr. Leonard Steven Rolnick, Ph.D., passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 8th, 2024 at the age of 94. He was born in Queens New York City, New York on April 12, 1929 to Rose Cohen and Hyman Rolnick.

Len had a great passion for life, a wonderful sense of humor and was always an eternal optimist. He was a devoted husband, grandfather and great-grandfather and a great friend to everyone he met.

As a child, Len was distinguished by his intellectual curiosity and strong interest in the sciences. He was accepted to Stuyvesant High School, an accomplishment reserved for the top 1% of students in New York City at that time. Following his high school graduation, he spent his first half year of college in early 1946 at the Colorado School of Mines, where he majored in Geological Engineering. He enlisted with the United States Geological Survey and was assigned to map out a large area of previously unexplored territory in Alaska. Len often recalled exciting stories from this time in his life, including surviving through drastic weather conditions and close encounters with dangerous wildlife. When he returned

from Alaska, he went on to attend John Hopkins University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics. He went on to further immerse himself in the sciences and obtained his Masters degree from Harvard University and his PhD from MIT, the title of his thesis being “The Stability of Gypsum and Anhydrite in the Geologic Environment”.

Following his doctorate degree, Len served his country and enlisted with the 101st airborne division during the Korean War before being transferred to assist in atomic research at Aberdeen Proving Ground. After the service, Len went to work for Gulf Oil and served as a "party chief" with a crew of 30 men exploring west Texas for salt and oil deposits. In 1969, Len resigned from Gulf Oil and started his own firm which he operated until he retired to spend more time with his family.

Len will be best remembered for his devotion to his sweetheart, Aggie. Len and Aggie met at New Years Party in 1947 and quickly fell in love. They became married in January 1951 and went on to spend the next 70 years of their lives together until Aggie’s passing in June 2021. Len and Aggie were instrumental in raising their two grandchildren. Jenny and Rick would both agree that he was one of the most influential and loving figures in their lives. Len spoke with them daily until the very end, often sending jokes, advice, and words of encouragement. Len was an impeccable gentleman in manners and fashion. All who knew Len would agree that he had a great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh.

He taught us all a lesson that despite many things being thrown at him in life, we must smile and carry on.

Len is survived by his loving family, including his grandson, Dr. Richard Wawrose and his fiancé Dr. Alexandra Gabrielli; granddaughter Jennifer Parks and her husband Taylor Parks of Big Spring; his great-granddaughter Bobbi Parks; his niece Leslie and Clayton Horsey and cousins Yossie and Linda Mermelstein. He was preceded in death by his wife, Aggie; his parents, Rose and Hyman Rolnick; son Richard Rolnick and daughter Susan Wawrose.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, specifically their beloved Nanny, Catherine Parks, of Blessed Memory, for the extraordinary care she provided for several decades. Also, Nancy Serpa Mendoza for her friendship and dedication to him in the past year, as well as the staff at Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services who provided such great care for him over the past year. The family will gather for a private funeral service.