Roland Sward

Obituary of Roland John Sward

Roland “Rollie” John Sward

71, died unexpectedly on August 31, 2020 at Essentia Health Duluth.

A graduate of Duluth East High School, class of 1966. Roland worked his way through the trades industry as a sheet metal worker for A.G. O’Brien, Northwest Roofing and finally retiring in 2010 as Vice President of the Jamar Co. During that time, he was an Apprenticeship Board Member of the Sheet Metal and Roofers Association, President of G.E.A.P.S. and Lifetime member of the Upper Midwest Region of SMARCA.

Rol had a love of baseball and played for the Woodland Fast Pitch league, then to retire to watch the MN Twins.

His love of music started as a drummer for the Sneaky Pete band and he later put the drumsticks down for karaoke but only to pick them up again and win the Celebrity Cowbell Challenge of 2011.

As the life of the party, Rol always had a joke to tell, it might have been the same joke, but a joke none-the-less.

He had a hat collection and could pull out a hat for any occasion, but mostly just to make you laugh. Rol always made sure the people around him were having a good time.

His favorite hat would have been “World’s Best Grandpa.” Elasa, Peyton, Makenna, Cora, and Kylie finally showed him what it meant to have a good time.

A favorite quote of Roland’s was “When you’re young, you’re good looking. When you’re old you’re looking good”.

Well, here’s looking at you Roland!

Survived by his wife of 34 years, Lisa, Son - Tyler, Daughter - Lindsey (Ricky) Christianson, Sisters - Janice (Dave) Anderson, Judy (Bob) Surman, Janene (Uldis) Adamsons, Terri (Melissa Lagerquist), Brothers - Roger (Vicki) Sward and Joe Sward, Grandkids - Elasa, Peyton, Makenna, Cora, and Kylie and many other close family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Rollie and Lisa’s house on Sunday September 6th, 2020 from 12:00-5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be directed to a memorial fund “ROLLIE’S FUND” at the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education to help others when they need it most. https://save.kindfull.com/named-memorial-funds/rollies-fund

A Memorial Tree was planted for Roland
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Cremation Society Of Minnesota | Duluth