Cobirders,
The very sad news is that Joe died last night of cancer just after midnight. His wife Maryanne said that despite his pain, he was still cracking jokes with the nurses yesterday morning. “He made me laugh every single day,” she said. Either one of their boys, Dan and Tom, was always able to be with him for the past month.
I was out running with my dog when Joe corralled us decades ago. That’s how I became one of many people Joe introduced to birding. That led to us birding together all over Colorado and the world. Joe’s love of teaching folks about birds, almost always with a humorous insight, continued through his illness. He was a valuable contributor to Denver Field Ornithologists, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Colorado Field Ornithologists, and the medical community. There has never been anyone like Joe Roller, and he will be missed greatly.
We can believe that last night just after midnight, St. Peter laughed harder than he had all year.
Larry Modesitt
Arvada
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On Nov 25, 2020, at 3:45 PM, Larry Modesitt <larry....@gmail.com> wrote:
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On Nov 25, 2020, at 3:51 PM, Brandon <flamm...@gmail.com> wrote:
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On Nov 25, 2020, at 4:18 PM, David Tønnessen <davidto...@gmail.com> wrote:
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The news comes as a shock. Barb and I will miss Joe, but are thankful we knew him. Two weeks ago I emailed Joe to ask how he was doing. He replied with Churchillian courage, "When marching through hell, keep marching." Never complain, never explain.
I admired Joe’s politeness and outgoing personality. My first memory of him was on a CFO convention field trip when we were taking a break at a Nebraska welcome center. Joe took the time to walk up to the senior woman behind the counter, probably a volunteer, and compliment her on the nice welcome center and how she was so helpful to visitors. She smiled and clearly enjoyed chatting with Joe. Introverted birders like me typically did not do that. Joe was a good example of kindness and outreach.
Joe loved recognizing other people’s efforts and accomplishments. For years on the CFO Board he was in charge of awards. He took that very seriously and annually came up with some member who deserved thanks from the Colorado birding community. Joe also worked to recruit new Board members and officers. He was very good with people and had wide contacts. He was always the first to give hearty applause to CFO award winners at the annual convention banquet, whether he nominated them or not.
After Joe retired from the CFO Board I thought he would relax, but no, he took on the President’s position at DFO and did a great job invigorating DFO with creative and professional leadership..
I know Joe devoted many hours to the Boy Scouts over the years and was a leader there.
Lastly, I admired Joe’s life-long love and devotion to his tragically disabled wife, Mary Anne. Such constant care-giving is not easy, impossible for most of us, but he carried on over many years with Mary Anne’s well-being as his top priority.
He was a friend of mine, and many others.
Tom Wilberding
Littleton, Colorado
So very sad to hear this news. Besides being a great guy to bird with, he was always so supportive discussing and providing advice regarding my battle with cancer. Ironic that he ended up passing before me.
Joe and I met in the most unusual of places, in a gastroenterology clinic. It was time for me to have my colonoscopy and my physician by chance turned out to be Dr. Roller. After the procedure, while I was recovering from the anesthesia, he found out from my wife that I was a birder and a photographer. So, in typical Joe Roller fashion, not ten seconds after I regained consciousness, he very excitedly insisted in taking me down to his private office to check out the penguin pictures he had just taken on a trip to Antarctica. We’ve been great friends ever since. You will be missed Joe!!
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Sad news indeed ☹ I never met Joe but had a fine occasional correspondence with him these last several years. A friendly and supportive man and always responsive to my questions. His positive presence on CObirders helped make this a vibrant and enjoyable forum. Rest in Peace, Joe – Dave Hyde/nr Storm Mountain
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Charles Hundertmark
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2020 8:45 AM
To: tehei...@gmail.com
Cc: Colorado Birds
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news
Joe was a dedicated and skilled birder. His name still sits at or near the top of many CFO county birding lists. When a rarity showed up at a Colorado location, it was likely he could tell you the year and location he had first seen that species in the state.
Lafayette, CO
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Hello all,
It is indeed sad to hear of Joe Roller’s death. I have known him for many years, birding together, talking at meetings, and in recent years mostly communicating by email. Every interaction I have had with him over the years has been positive and enjoyable. I concur with all of the many comments that have already been posted about Joe as I have noticed the same character traits so many others have mentioned. I will miss him as indeed the entire Colorado birding community will.
Bob Andrews
Yekepa, Liberia, West Africa
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******
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.
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Hello all,
Anyone who goes birding in eastern and southern Africa will see Lilac-breasted Rollers, and inevitably it is at or near the top of the list of favorite birds. They are colorful, outgoing, and always a delight to see. Very much like Joe Roller himself.
Bob Andrews
Yekepa, Liberia, West Africa
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