Roland Biegler, Jr.

Roland Francis Biegler, Jr. (Rollie), age 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 in Centennial, Colorado.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, September 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Church of The Risen Christ 3060 S. Monaco Pkwy Denver, CO 80222 with a reception following, and interment at Fairmount Cemetery.

Rollie is preceded in death by his parents, Roland F., Sr. & Loreto Sullivan Biegler, older brothers Patrick Biegler and Reverend John Biegler, younger sister, Sister Mary Ann Biegler (Sr. Mary Marius op), and his wife of 42 years, Joan V. Biegler.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Judith Hamilton Biegler, daughters Mary E. Kratz, and Barbara A. Henderson (Curtis), grandchildren Karri Jo, Michelle Lynn (Josh Podhirny), Cathleen Frances, Lucas Joe, Tabor Clayton, Roland Philip, great granddaughter, Cass Bernadette, as well as Judy's children Christine Gast (Mark), Scott Hamilton (Michelle), Michael Hamilton (Wendy) & grandchildren Carly Christine, Ryan Edward, Matthew Dale, Mallory Lanell, Alec Benjamin, Laurel Dalen & cousin Bill Sullivan (Maureen).

Rollie was born November 29, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was raised with his two siblings, John and Mary Ann. He lived in Milwaukee, Shorewood and Menomonee Falls, WI and attended UW-Madison 1950-1951.

He was inducted into the United States Army September 1951, completed OCS, served three years 1951-1954, and spoke often of his time stationed in Wilm, Germany as 2nd Lieutenant.

Rollie returned to school in 1954 and graduated from Regis College in 1957. He was a lifelong supporter of Regis and was a member of the Regis Director’s Silver Level in support of academic excellence.

After college, Rollie worked as an Insurance Underwriter for Great Western Sugar Company and then as a stock broker for an ever changing list of firms, merger after merger. He spent the remainder of his career in the stock exchange industry earning the title of Vice President of more than one firm including Shearson Lehman Bros. Rollie also served as a member of the New York Stock Exchange's Regional Hearing Board.

Rollie married Joan Vecchio June 1957. They raised their two daughters in Denver and enjoyed the home they built in 1968 for over 30 years. Many lifelong friendships formed with their neighbors and continued to this day after many moved away.

Rollie and Joan were a founding family and lifelong members of Church of the Risen Christ. Rollie served as a member of the Risen Christ Parish Council 1969-1970 under Pastor O'Malley during the building of the church sanctuary. “Ground was broken for the new church building on December 29, 1968, and the first Mass was celebrated in the church on January 25, 1970.” Rollie served the parish in many roles through the years and loved contributing through outreach ministries in the Denver Metro area.

The Bieglers were members of Valley Country Club for over four decades and Rollie served on the Board of Directors 1999 - 2002. "Avid Golfer" is a somewhat vapid descriptor. Rollie immersed himself in the sport, & chased excellence as a golfer...for the recreation, social side, love of the summer weather, beauty of many courses across the country & beyond, the low score, & elusive perfect shots. He was a caddie at North Shore Country Club while in high school and played until his mid 80’s. He scored two holes-in-one including one in July 1970 that was mentioned in the Rocky Mountain News.

Dear friends filled the lives of the Bieglers from childhood friends, former college mates, the “Godsman group,” work colleagues and golf partners. Dear neighbors living in homes “without fences” enjoyed many patio happy hours, dinners, & holiday gatherings, family vacations and day to day life comradery. The Bieglers made endless memories of family gatherings, holiday celebrations, Bronco brunches & games at Mile High, ski trips to Breckenridge, golf trips to Hilton Head Island, The Broadmoor, Kauai, The Stix, Ireland, and enjoyed golf courses around the Denver area and in Colorado. In more recent years, Judy & Rollie traveled around the country to visit family and to vacation.

Rollie lived a full life as son, brother, husband, father, step father, friend, colleague, golf buddy, a good neighbor, and most importantly, Grandpa Rollie to his five grandchildren and Judy’s six grandchildren. He was a true classic, “best dressed,” gregarious, and brought to tears laughing at jokes, including his own. He was a Sunday comics lover, and could nap like a champ.

He was a sports fan of the Denver Broncos, Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish, Colorado Rockies; a myriad of professional golfers, and all of the teams and events he attended supporting his grandkids swimming, cheerleading, dancing, playing soccer, baseball, roller hockey, and more.

Ninety some years deserves at least a book-length journey to share all the details, memories, experiences, challenges, victories, and lessons that frame a life, and the countless people who are shaped and forever molded by a long, full life.

May our memories be sweet of those we lose and our lives be a tribute to the best of who they were as we continually realize we would not be who we are apart from knowing them.

Contributions to honor Rollie’s memory can be made to Catholic Charities of Denver or an organization of your choosing.

Please share memories of Rollie and condolences with his family by signing the Tribute Wall above.