Oct.
17, 1928 - Aug. 2, 2009MISHAWAKA - A very kind, gentle, gifted man, who inspired and encouraged so many, passed away at home with his wife, Kathleen, at his side the evening of August 2, 2009. Rollin was the oldest of two sons born to G. Marie and Edward D. Farrand in their family home in Shipshewana, IN, on October 17, 1928. Rollin was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Goshen High School and became the first of his family to graduate from college with an engineering degree from Purdue University. Upon graduation, Rollin was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving as a platoon leader of Company B at Fort Lewis, WA. He also served in the Sixth Army Chemical School Presidio of San Francisco, CA. Upon his discharge as a 1st lieutenant, he worked as a structural and project engineer with the Civil Aeronautics Administration where he published Development of Instrumentation for the Study of Pilots' Eye Movements in Army Helicopters. Rollin served for 10 years in the Indiana Department of Highways (INDOT) in Indianapolis. His engineering skills are reflected in highway designs of portions of SR9, SR 135, I-69, I-74, I-70 I-65, US 50, I-64, US 41, US 36 and multiple exchanges along the Indiana Toll Road. In 1970 Rollin moved to South Bend where he began working as the chief engineer of civil engineers at Charles W. Cole and Son. Rollin was appointed by South Bend Mayor Jerry J. Miller as Director of Public Works, a position he also was appointed to by South Bend Mayor Peter J. Nemeth. He returned to the private sector as vice president of engineering at Cole Associates, Inc., where he also served as Porter, Indiana, Town Engineer. During the 1990s Rollin was appointed by the Board of Commissioners to be the County Engineer for St. Joseph County. Rollin's engineering skills and commitment to excellence is seen today in many public works projects throughout the South Bend area. Rollin's quiet demeanor spoke volumes throughout the engineering communities. His desire to mentor young engineers continued as a professional consulting engineer with The Troyer Group, Inc., and with Ken Herceg & Associates, Inc. Rollin received many awards and served on many boards, with Keys to the City of South Bend and a Key to St. Joseph County being awarded for his engineering skills. Rollin dedicated his life to his family and instilled in each of his five children the desire to never stop learning. He inspired each to graduate from college, with many earning advanced graduate degrees. Rollin leaves cherished and countless memories with his wife of 32 years, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; their beloved daughter, Katie of Orlando, FL; and was blessed to have four children from his first marriage, Rollin, Jr. (Linda) of Carmel, IN, Cynthia Rowell (William) of Acworth, GA, Leslie Hill (Larry) of Granger and Joel (Marilyn) of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Rollin leaves very special memories to celebrate and cherish with his brother, Keith (Sonya) of Cicero, IN, his stepbrother, Lowell (Gay) of Ligonier, and his stepsister, Caroline Smith of Goshen. Rollin's legacy is truly a life of inspiration, especially when he was challenged with very significant health issues for the past 13 years. Each day Rollin saw as a blessing and he embraced the excellent medical care which he received from so many special people, but especially Dr. Mark Sandock, Dr. John Jenkins, Dr. Vinod Chauhan, Dr. Philip DePauw, Dr. Motasem Afyouni, and their caring staffs; and the dedicated medical staffs at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Riverview Hospital of Noblesville and St. Mary's Hospital of Jefferson City, TN; and the many, many friends and relatives who encouraged him along the way. During these years of challenge, Rollin grew stronger in spirit and inspired those around him. Rollin was awarded the Civil Engineer of the Year Award in 1999 by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Indiana Division, is in the Who's Who in the Midwest, became a speaker on disability awareness, and was honored by Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea last year with a special Proclamation. Rollin's sensitivity to the special needs of those with physical disabilities became reflected in his engineer designs. Rollin believed in exploration and adventure and saw each day as a new learning experience. Together with his wife, Kathleen, and the Country Cousins of Ligonier, they celebrated Rollin's 80th birthday last summer by traveling 8,822 miles along the Alaskan Highway. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. today, and Thursday from 10-11 a.m. followed by a celebration of Rollin's life at 11 a.m., all in Grace United Methodist Church, South Bend, with Rev. David A. Schader, senior pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame campus. The McGann Hay University Area Chapel is handling funeral arrangements. To send condolences to the family, log on to their website at www.McGannHay.com. Rollin asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in his name to the church where he had served on the Board of Trustees and chaired the church's expansion in the early 1990s, namely: Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 S. Twyckenham Drive, South Bend, IN 46614; or to The Purdue University School of Engineering or School of Military Science, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Family and friends are indeed richer today because of this special Boilermaker.