Rolland Edward Gerrard

Rolland Edward Gerrard, 100, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Plantation Estates in Matthews, N.C. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 13, 1914. He was the son of Archie Cochran Gerrard and Elsie Berner Gerrard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Madalyn Sharp, and a brother, Stuart Archie.

Survivors of Rolland (Rolly) are two sons, Edward Rolland (Donna) of Hickory, N.C., and Robert Alan (Jackie) of Mooresville, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Robin Gerrard of Atlanta, Georgia, Edward Gerrard, Jr. (Bethany) of Hickory, and Bryan Gerrard (Jamie) of Charlotte, Kimberly Gerrard Raber (Jeff) of Cincinnati, Ohio and Nancy Gerrard O’Toole (John) of Westlake, Ohio, David Gerrard (Stacy) of Mooresville, and Leslie Gerrard (Matthew Hassman) of Harrisonburg, Virginia; thirteen great-grandchildren, Mia and Aaron Kessler of Atlanta, Alex and Holly Woodworth of Cincinnati, Grace, Michael and Simon O’Toole of Westlake, Ohio, Adam, Lydia and Evelyn Gerrard of Hickory, Anna Gerrard of Mooresville, Ava Madalyn and Scarlett Gerrard of Charlotte; and one great-great-grandchild, Gwenevere Grace Woodworth of Ohio.

Rolly was like a father to several foster children during his younger years, and a grandfather to their children. He will be missed by Elizabeth Squires (Jim) of Charlotte, and sons, Charlie (Jennifer), Robert (Christina), and Tony Lazzaroni and children of Janesville, Wisconsin.

Rolly graduated from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana where he earned his B.S. degree in civil engineering in 1937. His first job was as a structural draftsman for Continental Bridge in the Chicago Loop. Later, through the American Engineering Society, he got a job with United Conveyor Corporation, which made ash handling equipment for large power plants and large industrials. He was with them for thirty-two years, ending his career as Vice President and Chief Engineer. After leaving United Conveyor, they moved to Charlotte, NC in 1972 where he founded Gerrard and Associates, a manufacturers’ representative firm. There he became United’s southeastern USA’s representative. He retired in 1988.

He was a 3rd degree Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Also, he was a member of Carmel Country Club in Charlotte. Along with his wife, Rolly was an associate of the Community of St. Mary’s, an Anglican religious order in Sewanee, Tennessee. They were active members of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Carmel Road in Charlotte for many years.

A memorial service for both Rolland and for his wife Madalyn, who preceded him in death by two months, will be at Plantation Estates on Sunday, February 1st, at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 pm. The inurnment will take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte following the service.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, or to Plantation Estates in Matthews, N.C.