Roland W. Finken

Roland Walter Finken was born September 2, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the first son of Herman and Gertrud Finken, German Immigrants, and had one younger brother, Harry Finken, who predeceased him by over 50 years. Roland grew up in Wisconsin, but as a child of 7 years, his parents migrated with him back to Bremen, Germany where his Father had been promised a top Engineer position at the company making Stuka dive bombers. Once his Father noted the direction that the Hitler regime was going, he left with his family and returned to Milwaukee in 1938 where they remained. He graduated from Custer High School in 1948 and received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Wisconsin State College which later became the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During the Korean War he passed the Math deferment test but he decided to let himself be drafted for two years. He was sent to Germany as an interpreter but all of a sudden he found himself in the US Army 1st Division Band touring all over Europe with his clarinet along with the famous singer Eddie Fisher. That was always a fun highlight of his career! When he completed his service, he went to Hammond, Indiana, to begin his first teaching job. He knew he wanted to go on to graduate school. He had fraternity brothers who were at Stanford University who said, "Come on out--the weather's warm and the girls are pretty!" Sure enough, that is where he met Nan! A college friend arranged for them to go on a double date to a Stanford football game. He showed up at her door with a red jacket with gold buttons and a hat with plumed feathers! He explained that he was playing in the band so he couldn't even sit with her on their first date! He completed his Master of Arts and all but the dissertation for his doctorate at Stanford. Six months later they were married in San Francisco, Nan's hometown. They lived in Palo Alto and then moved to Humboldt County where he was an Assistant Superintendant of Schools at age 27 years. Susan was born while they lived there. Two years later they moved to the San Francisco Bay area. He was an Assistant Principal in Pacifica where Debbie was soon born. In 1963, Roland changed career directions at the urging of one of his Stanford Professors and became Director of the First Regional Training Center of the Internal Revenue Service in Los Angeles. Three years later, Roland accepted a position as Training Specialist with the IRS Tax Team in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and took his family there where Nan's extended family lived. In 1968, they relocated to McLean, VA where Roland rotated back to IRS Headquarters. In the early 70's, Roland accepted a new position and for over 30 years he was the Senior Training Officer at the Department of Justice. After retirement, he was selected as the USA AWAKE Coordinator of the Year for his work with the American Sleep Apnea Association. In that capacity he served as a resource for people from all over the United States who had been diagnosed with sleep disorders. He was a long time active member of the Vienna Optimist Club. He was a Board Member or participant in numerous community organizations. Roland cherished his wife Nan and his daughters Susan and Debbie. He had a special bond with his son-in- law Terry and grandson Jamie. He loved his Grand-dog Maddie. Watching the Redskins and Nationals play whenever he could was always a highlight and he loved talking with Terry and Sue about the games. Roland was like a Father, Grandparent and close friend to many families whom he treated like his own, including adopted Grandchildren, Julia, Joseph and Angela , children of Brenda and Mark Franke. Roland loved to travel and see the world – taking a cruise just 2 weeks before he passed away was evidence of that love. Over the years they traveled the world from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South America and much more! His sense of humor was always something you could count on. He touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed.

Tributes

Roland W. Finken

September 2, 1930 - July 6, 2013