Rollie Winston French was born in Leesville, La to Rollie & Jessie French on September 23, 1941 and passed away at his winter home in Sun City West, Arizona on March 15, 2015 surrounded by his family and friends. His father’s military career moved the family frequently and was the inspiration for his life-long commitment to patriotism.
The majority of Rollie’s growing up years was in Vermillion, SD. where he graduated from Vermillion High School and the University of South Dakota. At USD, he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was actively involved in numerous campus organizations.
Defining parts of Rollie’s life as a young man were boy scouts and military services. Upon his graduation from USD and the R.O.T.C program he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He then extended his military service to become the youngest executive officer ever in the Armed Forces Courier Service at the Pentagon. At the conclusion of his assignment, he was awarded an Army commendation for outstanding service to his country.
While in Washington D.C. Rollie married the love of his life and college sweetheart, Sue Muilenburg. They had two sons born during the remaining years in Washington D.C. upon completion of his military career, Rollie and his family returned to Vermillion and his Alma Mater to complete his M.B.A. After graduation, he was an administrator at USD for 13 years serving in various capacities such as fund raiser, advisor to the Inter-fraternity council. Fulfilling his lifelong passion for the arts, he found great satisfaction in his position as fund raiser for the College of Fine Arts. Following his many years in academia; he embarked on long and successful career in hotel development, which continues today.
A testament to Rollie’s strength is that the decline of his health in recent years was most notably characterized by his indomitable spirit and unfailing positive attitude. Those who knew him well, recall with respect and admiration that he always said he was “doing great and was the luckiest man alive” even though his physical condition said otherwise.
Rollie’s lasting legacy is his family. In his own words he and his beloved wife Sue “shared an enduring love that exceeded all expectations even when times were trying.” Together they shared the joys of a happy life that spanned 5 decades and continues into the next generation. His sons, Tom and Mike were the sparkling highlights of his life. A testimonial to their abiding love for him was his presence on their college ski and hunting trips as the only dad invited to join them and their young friends. These events were some of his fondest memories.
An avid outdoorsman, Rollie dearly loved hunting with his sons and his brother-in-law, Tom Muilenburg, in their duck blind down on the Missouri River and during other hunts from Oklahoma to Canada. A major element of the French Family recreation involved boating and water sports at their cabin on the river, and snow skiing and snowmobiling in winter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rollie and Jessie French, brother, Rodney French, and brother-in-law, Tom Muilenburg. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years Sue, his sons, Tom his wife Jenny (Vermillion, SD.), Mike his wife Christine (Flagstaff, Arizona), his 6 grandchildren, Mikaela, Shantel, Tasia, Cooper, Bridger, and Rollie George French, brother, Lee & Joann French, sister, Marilyn & Patrick Sullivan, and sisters-in-law, Sally French and Liz Muilenburg.
Funeral Services will be held on April 4, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. at the United Church of Christ, Congregational in Vermillion, South Dakota. Memorials may be sent to the USD foundation or the United Church of Christ.
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