Rollin "Rolly" Philip WAGNER

Rollin Philip Wagner
November 27, 1936 - September 23, 2020

Rollin “Rolly” Philip Wagner, age 83, the oldest son of Henry "Fritz" and Margaret (Smyrak) Wagner was called peacefully home on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 following a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer coupled with Parkinson’s disease. His funeral mass will be 10:30 AM on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, SD, with burial in St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls, SD from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Please observe social distancing guidelines and wear face mask for the visitation and services.

Rolly was born on November 27, 1936 in Sioux Falls, SD. From an early age, Rolly was determined to study the workings of a vast array of interests. So focused and determined at times that when called for dinner, he would not want to be disturbed and would reply “Rollousch Busy” – Rollousch was a name of endearment given to him from his very Polish grandmother. This determination was evident until his last breath.

Rolly attended and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1954. His time at Cathedral included strong academics and playing the trombone in a Dixieland Jazz Band. Following high school, Rolly went on to attend The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, SD earning a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Upon graduation, Rolly accepted a job with the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, Michigan working in their Rocket Development Division. His time was cut short by the opportunity to accept a job with NASA at the Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Rolly’s job with NASA centered around rocket failure and fracture analysis for the Saturn 5 rocket development. For Rolly, this was his dream job- he explained that it was much like detective work. During his time at the Marshall Space Center, Rolly was featured and published in the magazine Popular Mechanics for his work with the Saturn 5 Rocket development.

As the space program was evolving, Rolly set out for a different job, closer to Sioux Falls, SD. He accepted a job with the 3M Corporation in St. Paul, MN, where he became laboratory manager to develop a process for product production.

Between his time in Michigan, Alabama and Minnesota, Rolly completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the esteemed Carlson School of Business and a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota.

Upon retirement, Rolly moved West to Spearfish, SD to foster his “Avocation” of art and nature immersion. Rolly had no favorite art medium and excelled at many varieties earning him many awards.

In 2010, Rolly made his home in Sioux Falls, SD to spend time with his mother.

Those who were there to guide him gently home were parents, Fritz and Margaret; step-father, Vernon Case; and one brother, Denny Wagner.

Left to cherish Rolly’s deep and rich legacy are his brother, Bruce (Karen) Wagner, Stewartville, MN; sister-in-law, Patricia Wagner, Sioux Falls, SD; nieces, Teresa Wagner-Surrell, Kim (Kevin) Rechnagel, Andrea (Jonathan) Watts and Emily (Greg) Righter; nephew, Jeff (Kari) Wagner; great nieces and great nephews; and a long list of Godchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Oakwood Assisted Living and the Dougherty Hospice House for all of their dignity and respect shown to Rolly.



Section 27

Contributed on 5/2/21 by 9katz
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 272059

Don't Follow