Roland Rockwell

Roland Mason Rockwell, age 86, died Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Agrace HospiceCare in Madison.

He was born October 18, 1925, at home in Viola Township, Richland County, Wisconsin to Melvin and Ona Rockwell. He graduated from Blue River High School and then went on to serve in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, serving in the Battle of the Bulge.

Following his military service he attended University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in education. Later he completed the Educational Specialist degree in educational administration. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa.

He began his educational career as a teacher of English, chemistry, physics, and biology in Elgin, N.D., then in Mount Horeb, WI where he taught chemistry and physics and was assistant administrator. He moved to Livingston, WI as high school principal. Next he served as superintendent of schools in Brodhead, WI for 6 years, and then for 6 years as superintendent of schools in Barron, WI. His last position was with the Department of Public Instruction in Madison as Director of School Finance for the State of Wisconsin from 1967 to retirement in 1986. A major accomplishment was converting the school reporting system to computer. (one of the first in the nation) After retirement he served as a consultant to a large group of schools in an organization called Association for Equity in Funding. He also served a three year term on UW School of Education Board of Visitors, and he established the Roland and Ruth Rockwell Teacher Awards which were to recognize those outstanding teachers who choose to pass on their knowledge and expertise as teachers to students through the Cooperating Teachers Program as administered through the UW Wisconsin, Madison.

Roland loved fishing, hunting and bird feeding. He enjoyed his lake home in Birchwood, WI and shared many happy occasions there with family and friends.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Ruth; brother Herbert (Cheung) Rockwell, Imperial, MO; and sisters Alice (LaVaughn) Carlson, Wisconsin Rapids, Marilyn (Ralph) Seeley, Grand Junction, CO, and Linda (Dale) Polesky, Harmony, MN, and 13 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lou Ann.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI 53705, with visitation from 11:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Middleton Junction Cemetery.



The family wishes to thank Senior Helpers caregivers, UW Hospital staff, and Agrace Hospice care providers for their tender care of Roland and their compassionate support of the family.

Memorials may be given to Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd, Madison, WI 53711, Agrace HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Madison, WI 53711, or to Oakwood Foundation, 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705.