Roland Ellis Gamble

He was married to the love of his life, Lois, for 69 years. Their love was undeniable and extraordinary—a true example of devotion, partnership, and enduring commitment.

A godly man, Roland was kind, sensitive, and deeply caring, with a gift for making people laugh. He lived his faith quietly through service, integrity, and caring for others.

Roland was born in the Prinz family home in New Sweden, Travis County, Texas, to Lorine Prinz Gamble and James Vicars Gamble. He spent his early childhood living on the family farm, where his grandfather worked the fields and his father worked at the cotton gin—experiences that shaped his strong work ethic and grounded nature.

After the family moved to Austin, Roland attended Rosedale Elementary School, Allan Junior High School, Austin High School, and The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

Roland proudly served for nine years in the Texas National Guard with the 36th Infantry Division, 111th Medical Battalion, from 1953 to 1962, and was honorably discharged.

He enjoyed a long and successful career as a civil engineer. He began his professional career with the Board of Water Engineers before spending the majority of his career with the Texas Department of Transportation, where his work helped shape Central Texas roadways.

From 1960 to 1991, he worked in the TxDOT Austin District, contributing to and supervising major transportation projects in Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties. Among these were the design and construction of IH-35 near Georgetown, during which the cave now known as Inner Space Cavern was discovered and preserved through innovative foundation design; the planning and construction of MoPac Boulevard, including the addition of the Hike and Bike Trail Bridge over Town Lake; and the reconstruction of the Congress Avenue Bridge, which became home to the largest urban bat colony in North America.

He also supervised planning and environmental studies for RM 1431 in Williamson County, where archaeological work led to the discovery of the prehistoric remains known as the “ Lady,” one of the oldest and most complete human skeletons found in North America. In 1986, he was honored with the Dwight C. Greer Award for engineering excellence.

Following his district service, he held leadership roles within TxDOT, including assignment to the State-Federal Office in Washington, D.C., where he served as liaison

to the Texas Congressional delegation during reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act, and later as Director of the Division of Environmental Affairs.

After he retired from TxDOT, he concluded his professional career with Lichliter Jameson, Rust E & I, Earth Tech, and LJA Engineering company where he focused on business development and managed transportation design operations.

His life was marked by faith, dedication, humility, and love for family. His legacy lives on in the people he loved, the lives he touched, and the communities shaped by his work.

Roland was preceded in death by his father, James Vicars Gamble; his mother, Lorine Emma Prinz Gamble; his sister Ruth Trolinger; and his beloved son, Gregory Lawrence Gamble.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Gamble; his daughters Rhonda Henderson and her husband Jay, Julie Baselice and her husband Michael, and Mona Bicocco and her husband Mauro; his brother Rodney Gamble and his wife Debbie; his grandchildren Jenny Carpenter and her husband Cody, Jill Maxfield and her husband David, Jana Smith and her husband Kevin, Tina Baselice, Michael Baselice, and William Baselice. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and many cherished nieces and nephews including Matt Gamble and his partner Josh Madeline, Mark Gamble, and James Gamble and his wife Tschara. He is further survived by the family of his late sister Ruth Trolinger: Laurie Huffman and her husband Bill, Rolland Neal Trolinger and his wife Leigh Ann, Stephen Trolinger, and James Trolinger and his wife Michelle.

A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 AM on Friday, January 16, 2026 in the Cook-Walden Funeral Home, located at 6100 North Lamar, Austin, Texas, 78752, with a Gathering with refreshments to follow.