Roland Karl Hanke

Roland Karl Hanke, 86, of Dearborn, MI passed away after an extended bout with pneumonia (not COVID-19 related) on Monday, April 13, 2020. He was born February 27, 1934 in Botenwald, Sudetenland, Czech Republic to the late Augustine (Gold) and Franz Hanke. While he was thrilled with the opportunities he imagined upon seeing the Statue of Liberty when he arrived in America on October 1955, he was always proud of his German heritage. He became a naturalized citizen in 1960, honorably served in the US Army, and retired from Ford Motor Company after many years of loyal service.

Roland loved reading, learning, solving challenging problems of all sorts, and helping those in need. He also loved his family, tinkering, Suduko, fishing, and working with computers and other technology.

He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Dorothea (Hoppe) of Dearborn, MI; Michael (Chris) Hanke of Beavercreek, OH; and Cathy (Don) Elmore of Dearborn, MI; grandchildren Justin (Stephanie) Hanke of Cary, NC; Alicia Hanke of Troy, OH; Mandie (Levi) Hendrickson of Mt. Pleasant, MI; and great-grandsons William and Nathan Hanke of Cary, NC. He was anticipating the arrival of his third great-grandson (Connor), due in July 2020. He was preceded in death by his brother Edwin Hanke (Bärbel) and sister Irmtraudt (Gunter) Stürtz. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

A date for a memorial celebrating his life will be announced at a later time. To sign Roland’s online guestbook, or send a message/memory of Roland to his family, please visit www.NeptuneSociety.com.