Roland Tamm

Roland Tamm, of Boulder, Colorado, died peacefully, while holding his wife's hand on January 14th, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He died at home, in a house he built more than 30 years ago. He was 87.Roland was born on October 19, 1922 to Karl Tamm and Anette Kalla, in Jarva-Jaani, Estonia. He escaped communism, as a resister in the underground Estonian 'army' known as the 'the forest brothers'. Raised on his family farm, he learned to love nature for all its gifts and beauty, something he never lost a sense or appreciation for. He attended the University of Tartu, with plans to take over the family farm when war broke out. After many difficult war years, Roland moved to this country in 1947, becoming a proud and grateful citizen of the United States. He married Anita Dreyman, also of Estonian descent, on February 14, 1948 in Killingsworth, Connecticut. They had met and fallen in love at the Estonian Club in NYC within a few days of Roland's arrival in this country.Roland was a proud and honorable man; a man much loved by his family and friends. He created beautiful homes and breathtaking grounds wherever he lived. He was most at home in nature, with an innate ability to communicate with plants and animals in a way that brought forth their exquisite beauty and devotion.Preceding him in death are his parents. Surviving are his beloved wife of almost 62 years, Anita, of Boulder; sons George (Evie) Tamm of Longmont and Jon Tamm of Boulder; daughters Kristina (Haldor) Tamm-Finnerud of Olympia, Washington, Lea Timmons of Austin, Texas, and Heidi (Ron) Vertrees of Sharpsburg, Maryland; 9 grandchildren and step-grandchildren - by descending age -- Thomas (Rachele) Vertrees, Arlene Tamm-Tompkins, Christopher Hale, Samantha Tamm-Tompkins, David Hale, Brianna Timmons, Eric Tamm, Michael Tamm and Rachele Vertrees; and 3 great-grandchildren - Allissa Tamm-Tomkins, Logan Tamm-Tompkins, and Cate Vertrees. He will be deeply missed by all.Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Howe Mortuary Chapel, 439 Coffman St. Longmont, CO with Kevin Meyer of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Boulder officiating. Interment will follow at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial services will be held February 14, 2010 at Mt. Calvary Church in Boulder.Memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Suite A, Lafayette, CO 80026 or to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children c/o: El Jebel Temple, 4625 W. 50th Ave., Denver, CO 80212.