A private memorial gathering is being held at Clearwater Shuffleboard Club in Clearwater for Rolland G. Charpentier of Northport, MI, who passed away January 3, 2012. He was 83.
Rolland was born May 22, 1928, in Fordson, MI, to Rolland and Esther Charpentier. He graduated with a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Wayne State University. He later served his country in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in Japan in the Military Sea Transportation Service during the Korean War. After serving in the Navy Rolland worked for Cadillac and General Motors. Rolland worked for 20 years in Administration at Wayne State University. He then relocated to work another 10 years in Administration at North Western Michigan College, where he later retired.
As a young man, Rolland pursued his love of skiing both recreationally and professionally. He was a league sanctioned racer with numerous awards. During this time he also became an instructor and chief examiner for the Central Division of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) where he had the honor of working with Stein Eriksen and Othmar Schneider. He also served as the Lead Instructor at Boyne Mountain Ski Resort for many years. He enjoyed bicycling over long distances of up to 100 miles a day across the country. Rolland was also an avid tennis player.
Over the past forty years, Rolland enjoyed working with clay and making custom pots. Rolland took pottery classes at Wayne State and Pewabic Pottery. He created Rusty Cat Pottery, making numerous collections for himself and resale. In his later years, Rolland loved to dance. He became a dance instructor for Ballroom, Country Western and Swing Dancing. He took much pride in helping others learn these skills. Over the last ten years of his life he took great interest in Professional Shuffle Boarding. He has enjoyed many friendships with the Clearwater Shuffle Board members.
Rolland first married Carmen Luzod and together raised a son, Paul who gave Roland two grandchildren. In 1998, Rolland married Barbara (Pare') and treasured the last fourteen years together where they spent their time in Northport, MI, in the summer and in Dunedin, FL, in the winter.
Rolland is preceded in death by his parents, Rolland and Esther. Surviving are his wife Barbara, (Pare'); brother, Don (Betty) Charpentier; his children, Paul (Tracey) Charpentier, Michael (Laura) Pare', Susan Pare' (Mike) Prins, Lisa Pare' (Ted) TenBrink, and Stacey (Salana) Pare'. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place at Veterans Funeral Care. Burial will be forthcoming at Fort Custer U.S. Military Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI.
The family will receive friends from 8:00-9:30 am, January 10th at the Clearwater Shuffleboard Clubhouse, 1020 Calumet Street, Clearwater, FL. Memorial contributions may be directed to Leelanau Childrens Center at 164 S. High St. Northport, MI. 49670.
To share a memory, please sign his guestbook.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
Barbara, having just met you but hearing so much about your husband I find myself wishing that I had known him. He lived an amazing life and apparently contributed much to the people around him.
Barbara,
Your life and times with Rolland has been a blessed event. I do believe that your strength will carry you through till you will meet him again when the “new dance” will begin again. Michael, Susan, Lisa, Stacey and all of your friends will always be at your side. There is a special place in my heart for you and your dreams. I’m sure that with the grace of God you will find peace as each day passes.
“Go now and embrace the pleasures of the past”.
Wayne Pare’
Dear Dad:
The time goes by so fast. Sometimes, it seems like the blink of an eye. What I wouldn’t give for one more walk, for one more talk. To help you out around the house, trimming trees, or simply rocking on the porch. Eating some chocolate ice cream, or drinking some chocolate milk together. Even though you have passed on to a better place – you are not really gone, because you are not forgotten. Dad, you are still abundant in our thoughts and in our hearts. In the thoughts and in the hearts of your Grandchildren. It is them who will carry on your ideologies and idealisms for many years to come. I am glad that I was able to be with you for your last day on earth. You are in a better place now. However, you are not gone and you are not forgotten. Your fond memories live on. They live on in all who knew you, and all who Loved you. No Goodbyes.
All the Love, and God Bless.
Paul
A good friend. He will be missed.
I am so thankful to have known and loved this awesome man! I am most thankful for the love he had for my Mom. He cherished her and treated her like a queen. He respected, encouraged, supported, and loved her beyond measure. His legacy lives on in her, his son, step children, and grandchildren. He will never be forgotten!
We met Rolland 5 years ago when he and Barbara bought our former next door unit at Mediterranean Manors. We instantly felt a bond with them, maybe because we were both from Michigan or maybe just because we really liked them both.
We remember the night they arrived in Florida for the 2007-2008 season. We hadn’t met our new neighbors yet but expected them to arrive soon. When we heard the elevator working over and over about 10:00 one night, we thought, ”They must have arrived!” Still in our PJs we went out to greet them in the hallway. They were exhausted after their trip from Northport, but still had time for hugs and warm hellos. We gave them milk and juice and cereal for the next morning, and already felt we had made some wonderful new friends.
Many a pleasant evening was spent watching movies from the library or Masterpiece Theater together in one or the other of our condos. We always felt so blessed to have neighbors that were such good friends and that we felt so comfortable with. Barb would often come in to our place on those evenings and say, “Aren’t we lucky!” And we truly did feel so. We will never forget his farewell “blessing” after our last movie and popcorn, urging us to “drive carefully “on our walk home just down the hall
We shared many a happy restaurant meal, went to movies together, did some biking, had a lot of fun attempting Ping-Pong, and had very special Christmas and Easter dinners together at our places.
It was always fun to bump into them in the hallway, as they were about to go to some formal evening with their shuffleboard group or with their dancing friends. They looked so beautiful together all dressed up so fabulously.
Rolland was always so available and such a calm quiet listener. We always felt he had all the time in the world for us. He was relaxed, accepting, and interested in us. He called us twice from Northport over this past summer to see how our move from Michigan to New York was going. And as we listened,
we felt the love, and looked forward to our reunion in Dunedin. Amazingly we both arrived in Dunedin this fall on the same day, only about 4 hours apart
You could feel that Rolland really loved people: from the way he greeted passing bicyclists on the trail, or spoke to a waitress, or greeted a neighbor. He always made us feel like we were special friends.
He had that quality of caring and loving.
Dear Rolland, we are going to miss you so much. In spite of all the wonderful people at Med Manors, we felt closer to you and Barbara than anyone.
Even when we didn’t concur with your choice of music or a movie, we couldn’t help but admire your enthusiasm. No one could accuse you of being wishy-washy. If you liked something it was 100%, if not you would tell us. When you did anything, you wanted to do your best and give it your all. You loved shuffleboard totally: fully into the complex strategy of the game. You were that way with dancing, skiing, biking, and everything you attempted. We didn’t know you until recently but wish we had known you longer and been around to witness all your successes. In spite of your many varied accomplishments you never looked down on us lesser talents.
Your wonderful dancing partner will have a hard time without you beside her. There are so many of us that will feel the sadness of your loss in our lives.
We know you have gone to a better place where there will be only joy and no more pain and restless nights, and lots more of your wonderful happy laughter. You have touched so many lives here and will be truly missed.
The Man I Will Remember
A Man of Strength, A man of Gentle Hands
Who could stand up for his Bride
But would not hurt a flea
A man of Tenderness, A Man of Care
Who could nurse a nearly dead plant back to blooming life
But took the time to give it what it needed along the way
A Man of Fun, A Man of Spirit
Who loved a good game of Shuffleboard
But loved winning it all the more
A Man of Dance, A Man of Joy
Who loved dancing the West Coast Swing
But his real joy was in the tango of life with his “Shweetheart” Barbara
A Man of Creativity, A Man of Mercy
Who could form a beautiful pot out of his own hands
But allowed for imperfections to be a thing beauty and uniqueness
A Man of Courage, A Man of Heart
Who years ago, conquered a great disease
But his heart melted soft with compassion for those in need
A Man of Life, A Man of Love
Who loved a smile, a good movie, sweet snacks, nature, naps, and four legged friends
But his family and wife he loved most
A Man of Quiet Faith, A Man of Patience
Who understood “It’s in Gods hands”
But waited patiently for His perfect timing
In God’s perfect timing He took you to be with Him
The Master Potter collecting His finished work of art
Isaiah 64:8
O Lord you are our Father
We are the clay, you are the potter;
We are all the work of your hand
We will miss you here
But we look forward to seeing you again
Until then- Dance and make jars of clay to your heart’s content!
Sue Prins- Your loving Step Daughter
P.S. Thank you for loving my Grandma and my Mom the way you did
Grandpa Rolland, you will be greatly missed. I have seen your love for my Grandma and for each one of her kids and grand kids. I will always remember the mornings when you and Grandma would stay over and I would come down and see you in the morning for one of your back rubs. You were loved by all of us and easily accepted as one of us into the family 14 years ago. Grandma, my prayers are with you. You are a very strong woman and so full of life, I know that you will be able to carry on. I admire you always…Your Loving Grandson
Barbara – we always enjoyed seeing you and Rolland at Jerry & Drieka’s during the summer. Bob will always remember him for the “meaningful chit chats” they had at Wayne and the enjoyment of working together. It was always great remembering those good old days. Please know that you are in our prayers and have our deepest sympathy. Roll definitely will be missed.
My darlin’ husband, You have been such a huge part of my life in the short time we have known each other. I will miss you so much. You have been my best friend, my soulmate, my buddy and my other half. How we have often said to each other that one without the other would be like separating twins forever. Were we in love too much? I often questioned that, because I know that too much love can lead to great pain. But how often do we in our short time on this earth, get to love that deep and pure love? I feel I have been blessed to have shared that with you, my love. Now I am faced with the challenge God has given to me. That deep hurt beyond words. The heavy feeling of sadness. He thinks I am strong enough to go on, but I don’t feel it. He thinks I am determined enough to fill the void, but I don’t feel it. He thinks I am loved enough to be “held up” even with the deep hurt I carry in my heart for you. I do feel the love I am experiencing from my five children and many many friends WILL hold me up. Our years together have been but a blip in time, but so full. God brought us together in our love for dance, and honey we danced and danced, and we did it so well together. You were the instructor and I was but an eager student. I fell madly in love with you the second time I showed up for that dance class and loved you ever since. Our love of dance opened a whole new world of dance friends, and that’s when Joyce and Duane Tremp came into our lives. And what fun we had going on dance weekends and competitions together. We were good dancers honey and there wasn’t hardly a new move we didn’t try. And many injuries that followed in those attempts. We did it all. We did a lot of fun things together and made some great memories. Later in life we discovered the Art of Shuffle Boarding. What fun times we had learning and competing in a great sport. But more than the game, there is a precious family of new friends we gathered along the way. They became an important part of our lives. There is so much more I could say to you honey, but time has run out. I know you have gone to a better place now, where you will be dancing with a new stronger body and shuffle boarding with no more turmoil. I will miss you, my partner, so much. But more than anything I am left with such a deep deep sadness and a loss of my other half. I will always love you. Forever yours, my love. Barbara
Rol played an important part in my life and career at Wayne State University. He was my friend, mentor and teacher. His first wifes family and I have been lifelong friends so I feel like I have known him my whole adult life. He will certainly be missed.
Rolland, long term fond memories seem to endure the test of time. Accepting your college fraternity pin in 1948 was a special occasion I remember well. You were a college Junior and I was Freshman. Six years later, we married while you were in the Navy. Our son Paul, a third generation Rolland, was born 9 years after. A fond memory is remembering how excited Paul would get when he saw your car coming down the road after work, and his running to the driveway to greet you. There was love, caring, and sharing a good family life, a happy togetherness. However, with life’s changes along the way, you and I grew apart, going in different directions, and our 22 year marriage ended. Thankfully it was an amiable divorce, each of us knowing there would remain a bond of friendship. As you know, you were my first Love, sometimes that’s hard to beat. The Lord, I believe has a plan for us, and as I look back, I cherish those early years of togetherness and I am ever so thankful to have been blessed with a son, but also wonderful in-laws too. Your parents, Esther and Rolland, treated and loved me as a daughter, and your brother Don still calls me sis. My prayer for you Rolland, is that you rest in Peace, in a Better Place, and the truths be known to you of those who have loved, cared, and are grateful that you have touched their life in a positive way, leaving them with good memories. I also pray that you choose to become our son Paul’s and your grandchildren, Sunny and Rolli’s, Guardian Angel from above to help them along their lifes journey. I believe they have inherited many of the good Rolland G. Charpentier genes. They also love and excel in skiing and are active in participative sports. They love and enjoy the beauty of nature and are gentle , kind, and sensitive to animals; and if they have your drive, and focus to do a job well – they should do OK in this crazy world. God Bless. Thank you for having been in my life. Love, Carmen
Barbara, you and Roland have been good friends with Joseph and me. I have fond memories of sitting on the porch with you or Roland or both of you, rocking and talking. Roland had such an easy way with people and made us feel at ease and accepted for who we are. He will be missed.
Dear Barbara, We’ll tell you the same thing here. Rolland was our Lymphoma hero. Ardon told everyone who would listen how great a man he was.
On the dancing level, remember Ardon and Rolland dancing at the condos where Joyce and Duane had their boat? I can only imagine what the rich people in the condos must have been thinking. We also remember going someplace with you guys once and having to stop in the middle of the road so Rolland could move a turtle from the road so it wouldn’t be run over. What a humanitarian. And, last but not least, all six of us sitting in the middle of your bed watching dance videos. Wow, what great friends you’ve both been and he will be extremely missed.
I miss you Rolland. I too enjoyed many chats with you in the ADS days at Wayne State University. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with you. It was great fun when we started taking potting lessons together and it was amazing to see how good you were. As time passed our lives took different paths yet I thought of you often. You were a big influence in my life. God bless you.
I was privileged to work with Rol at Wayne State for 14 years. I remember Rol as a consummate professional and all-around supremely cool guy. It’s ironic to find out how little I really knew about him until I read the obituary that Chuck Schaeffer kindly forwarded to some WSU colleagues. A real Renaissance man he was. Professional shuffleboarding? Awesome!
Barbara, it’s so clear from the tributes here how much Rolland was loved and admired by you, his many friends (old and new) and family. Your love for each other will continue and will sustain you. My condolences and best wishes to all of you.
Barbara, My heart goes out to you! You did lose the love of your life and a fabulous friend! Yet, all that he brought to you (and you with him) will live on as you begin (no rush) to move into another phase of your life. May you feel the love of God embrace you and protect you. You are a fabulous gal; you will survive. Jan
What an amazing man! My first memories of you are of dancing in the hallway of the hotel to the random elevator type music while the rest of the family got around. I’m not sure if I ever shared with you my own passion for dancing, maybe it started that day. My style is a bit more of a ’do my own thing’, but non-the less I love it and try to dance everyday! When I first met you, I remember feeling at ease. I was young and the idea of Gram dating or marrying another man was so foreign to me, but you were such a kind soul. It seemed natural and effortless when you became a part of our family. Over the years I have seen your love of life, family, friends, skiing, nature, pottery, and your special connection to my Gram. More recently, I feel very blessed to have spent some time together this past summer while I was up north for school. We enjoyed some tasty treats, watched Chocolate, and caught up. The thing that touched my heart the most that visit was what happened that night after the movie. Even though it was late and you and Gram were both very tired you still read to her before bed. I remember Gram saying “Rolland reads to me every night, I love it when he reads to me”. I thought to myself, what an amazing pair, they just seem to fit so well together. I love that about you, you have such a big heart. You and Gram showed me that visit, that true love exists, and it is something so special! Love you lots Rolland! Save a dance for me when we meet again some day! :-)
I am saddened to hear of Rolland’s passing. Although I did not see him in many years he was instrumental in my early adult life as a mentor in both skiing and life itself. I remember him as a true friend, mentor, and professional in everything he taught me. My prayers for Paul and the rest of his family.
I’m not sure where to begin. It is two years after Rolland’s passing. I have been thinking about Rolland for some time wondering why we weren’t connecting.
I first met Rolland in 1980 when we were both working at WSU. I was teaching ceramics and Rolland signed up for a special class on Korean Ceramics. After that until his retirement and move up north we were very close friends. Both bachelors at the time we often double dated and even took trips together. I had not had a male friend like Rolland before or since. I was closer to him than to my brother. Over the years we drifted apart communicating rarely and sending occasional cards. A couple of years ago he called just to talk. Since then I have not been able to connect with him. I thought he was busy. I guess he was and called to say, “goodby”.
To Rolland, your friendship meant a great deal to me then. It means a great deal to me now. I love you like an older brother. Sorry we didn’t connect more often over the years.
To his wife Barb, I am sorry we never met but I know he loved you deeply and loved his time with you. To Paul, I am so pleased to see you gave him grandchildren and know that he loved them and all your family dearly, let’s communicate. To Carman I want you to know he always spoke of you with love. One of Rolland’s greatest strengths was his capacity to love.
To all his family, but especially to Barb, you have my greatest sympathy I share your grief and loss deeply.