Richard Roll

Richard Allen “Rich” Roll passed away on February 5, 2025 at Westminster Lake Ridge Retirement Community in Woodbridge, Virginia. He was 87. Born in Newport, Kentucky, he spent the early years of his youth, attending school in Newport and playing by the Ohio River. In the early 50s, his father, Milton, moved his family to South New Jersey, settling in Woodbury. Rich was a standout athlete at Woodbury High School. Known by his nickname “Kentuck”, he lettered in football, basketball, and track and field where he threw the javelin. His good looks and high energy level caught the eye of his classmate Jean Carson. The attraction was mutual and after dating and graduation they were married in 1956. Later that same year, Rich enlisted in the United States Navy. He qualified for the Submarine Service and over the next 10 years was stationed with his family in San Diego, Key West and Hawaii. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1966 as a Torpedomanʻs Mate First Class. Upon returning to New Jersey, between 1966 and his retirement in 2000, he earned his Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering and worked in the engineering field for a number of leading edge companies including Boeing Vertol, Western Electric, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies. He is credited with a number of robotic / laser / fiber optic patents. Aside from work, he was truly a “jack of all trades”. His many talents included singing – he was a tenor vocalist with Princeton Pro Musica and the Lake Ridge Chorale – skiing into his 80s, woodworking, home remodeling, landscaping, pickleball and being the go-to fixit guy at Westminster. Rich found great joy in freely giving his time and talents to his community and church. He was a lifelong Cincinnati Reds and Kentucky Basketball fan. Rich is survived by Jean, his wife of 68 years, sister Naomi McClary (Mike), children Richard Roll Jr. (Cindy) and Diane Silvester (Mac), 4 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Interment with full military honors will be February 18 at Quantico National Cemetery for family members. A memorial service is planned at Westminster on February 25, 2025 at 1pm in the Potomac Room In lieu of flowers, donations in Richʻs name may be made to: • Westminster Lake Ridge Resident Supporting Fund • St Matthewʻs Lutheran Church, 12351 All Saints Place, Woodbridge, VA 22192

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Richard Roll

January 29, 1938 - February 5, 2025