Roland “Rolly” Cole Fischer (May 26, 1928 — November 3, 2016)
Born May 26, 1928, in Dayton, OH, Roland “Rolly” Cole Fischer was the only child of George F. Fischer and Lillian Rose Cole Fischer. A graduate of Fairmont High School, Rolly began his college career at the University of Cincinnati in a pilot/co-op program where he lettered in cross country track. After two years at the University of Cincinnati, Rolly transferred to The Ohio State University, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Rolly continued his studies at The Ohio State University, earning a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1955. His thesis was titled: “The Transportation of oil from shale from Western Colorado to the Southern California Market.”
Immediately upon graduation, Rolly joined Union Oil and settled in what is now known as Parachute. Rolly worked to develop a secure water supply for the oil shale industry. However, a few years later, the development of oil shale faltered.
Rolly’s career continued with Union Oil out of the Denver office as project engineer for gas well development in the Grand Mesa area. A few years later when Union Oil closed down its operations in the Rocky Mountain region, Rolly joined the Colorado River Water Conservation District as the Secretary-Engineer / General Manager of the Glenwood Springs office. During his tenure as Secretary-Engineer, Rolly was instrumental in securing water and water rights for the 13 counties of the Western Slope of Colorado. Rolly successfully grew the Colorado River Water Conservation District in head count as well as in influence building the foundation for the organization that it is today. Rolly was often termed a “visionary” by not only those in the field but many of the state’s leaders. Rolly’s career culminated in 1996 with the completion and fill of Wolford Mountain Reservoir located outside of Kremmling. Rolly retired from the Colorado River Water Conservation District in 1996 after 28 years.
During his career, Rolly was also appointed to the State Ground Water Commission and served on the Board of the Colorado River Water Users (President, 1995). Rolly was also active in the Glenwood Springs community at various times in his life with Rotary, Elks and as a Board Member for the Glenwood Springs Golf Club.
Rolly is survived by his wife of 61 years, Matilda “Tillie” Fischer, daughter Katie Fischer Mosquera, son George Frederick Fischer and granddaughters Elizabeth Katie Mosquera and Nicole Rose Fischer, sister-in-law Lucy M. Winterkamp along with various nieces and nephews – Karen Picciano, Judy White, Chrissy Winterkamp and Frederick Winterkamp.
A service honoring Rolly will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs. A reception will be held immediately after the service at the Glenwood Springs Golf Club in west Glenwood. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the National MS Society in Rolly’s memory. (National MS Society, in care of S. Reel, 521 Rood Avenue, Suite B, Grand Junction, CO 81504).
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