David Roellig
(March 17, 1938 – September 11, 2012)
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 15, 2012 in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Strasburg, IL with Rev. Steven Becker officiating. Howe and Yockey Funeral Home in Strasburg is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com
David Roellig was a husband, a brother, an uncle, and friend. But most importantly he was a student of life and by example a teacher to us all. David was always equal to the challenge of leadership, and his style was unique as people always followed him by choice. He was a gentleman in the full sense, a true gentle man. With a dry sense of humor, a compassion for others, and a contagious optimistic outlook, it was good to be part of David’s world. Born to the joy of St. Patrick’s Day, died to the sorrow of 9/11, the dates accurately bookend his life.
David was born on March 17, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, the third son of Oscar and Laura Roellig. He graduated from Denby High School and from Wayne State University as a geologist.
David served the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1966 to 1994; first in Detroit; then in Chicago as the Division Geologist overseeing the Corps work in the Great Lakes and upper Mississippi Basin; and he finished his career as the Geologist for the Headquarters in Washington, D.C., providing oversight of civil works program development and execution.
While David retired from the Corps in 1994, his civic contributions continued over the years. Among the leadership roles David assumed were as a member of the Pelican Bay Advisory Board; Chairman of the Clam Bay Restoration Subcommittee; Chairman of the City/County Beach Renourishment Advisory Committee; Vice Chairman of the Collier County Coastal Advisory Committee; Chairman of the Estuary Guardian Program Committee; and member of the Mangrove Action Group Board of Directors. And what may have been his fondest role, David was a Boat Captain at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
While his work was his accomplishment and defined his days, his many and varied travels with his wife and soul-mate Shirley defined his life. Whether it was crisscrossing China, walking the cobblestone streets of Europe, or gazing from the starboard bow of an Alaskan cruise ship, David successfully filled his insatiable curiosity of the world and its peoples. But he was not just an observer; he contributed his God-given ability and left a positive mark at each step along his 74-year journey.
David is survived by his wife of 41 years, Shirley.
Memorial contributions can be made to Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Dr., Naples, FL 34102 or Grace Lutheran Church, 860 Banyan Blvd., Naples, FL 34102.