Harold E. Rolen, (Gene), 95, passed away at The Dalles Adventist Hospital on March 9, 2024.
Gene was born on February 17, 1929, in Parks, Nebraska, to Vera (Knepper) Rolen and Robert DeLee Rolen. Gene spent his early childhood in Parks, then moved multiple times with the family, as his father sought better work opportunities. In their pre-teen summers, Gene and his older brother, Bob, usually worked alongside their father earning up to 10 cents a day. During these years they also honed their hunting and fishing skills. In 1940 the family arrived in Oregon, first settling in Bend, then moving to Vanport where all four members of the family worked as welders in the shipyards.
In 1946, Gene graduated from Jefferson High School, Portland, Oregon. After graduation he worked on the Hanford Atomic plant and McNary dam. In October of 1950 Gene was drafted into the army. After basic training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, he finished training in Japan and then was sent to Korea, where he was a corporal in the 45th Division, 180th Regiment, Company F. His superior officer noticed Gene’s skill with guns, assigning him to the armory as a stock clerk, where he took care of the weapons for the whole Company. On September 4, 1952, Gene was discharged from the Army. He returned to Oregon and carpenter work on the dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Falling in love with Etta and one year old Melinda, Gene married Etta M. Hopkins on March 4, 1954, adopting Melinda in November of the same year. They moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where Gene used the GI bill to attend the Oregon Technical Institute, attaining a Gunsmith certificate. Their sons, Richard and Roger were born in Klamath Falls. Returning to the work on the dams, they lived in Pasco and Sunnyside, Washington. In 1960 the family moved to The Dalles. When his sons reached Little League age, Gene volunteered as their baseball coach. He attended every football game, wrestling match and baseball game, in addition to teaching all three kids to hunt and fish.
In the 1early 1980’s Gene went to Saudi Arabia to build desalinization plants, and then to Venezuela for work on the Onaoco dam project. Upon his return home, Gene purchased property with Don Anderson, on the Kenai Peninsula and took yearly trips to Alaska to fish for salmon and halibut. His last elk hunt was just last November.
Gene is survived by his children, Melinda Beyers of Gladstone, OR, Richard and Patty Rolen, of The Dalles, and Roger and Denise Rolen of Oregon City, grandchildren Ron and Annie Hammond Beyers, Ben and Sarah Beyers, Ryan Rolen, Tony and Stephanie Rolen, Andy and Desi Rolen, and Morgan and John Fetzer, and seven great-grandchildren, Atticus and René Hammond Beyers, Basil and Benson Beyers, Rivington and Riley Etta Rolen, Nora Rolen, and Brooks and Easton Fetzer; and by his brother, Bob Rolen of The Dalles, four nephews and nieces, Rob and Margaret Rolen, Susan and Jack Pincock, and Cindy and David Gardipee, and their nine children and fourteen great nieces and nephews.
The funeral service is Saturday, April 13 at 11:00 am at Libby, Spencer and Powell Funeral home, with graveside service to follow at IOOF Three Mile (Parklawn) Cemetery. A reception will be 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Bargeway Pub.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oregon Hunters Association or The Dalles Little League Association.
