Rollie Alan Read, age 85, passed away at home on November 11, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born in Battle Creek, MI on June 12, 1941. During his childhood, he attended school in a one room schoolhouse in his hometown. He went on to graduate from Michigan State University with a degree in Wildlife Biology. After graduating, he worked at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, where he met his future wife, Patsy K. Read. They were married in 1972, celebrating their 54th anniversary in 2026. After his time at KNC, Rollie went on to work for the City of Kalamazoo Parks Department. Following this, he managed Mill Creek Park in Ohio. He then returned to Portage, MI where he served the City of Portage as the superintendent of the Parks Department for 20 years until retirement. Outside of his work, Rollie enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and hunting. He had a great love for lake life, going out sailing on the lakes whenever he could. He was always a great storyteller at family gatherings and even wrote and printed his own books at home about the things he valued most, Jeeps and his family. Rollie was blessed with four children, two daughters, Jodie and Ami, from an earlier marriage, and later, two sons, Rollie and Ricky, with his loving wife of 54 years. From those four children, came eighteen grandchildren, followed by six great-grandchildren. His daughter Jodie had three children; Josh, Sarah, and Justin. Ami had three children as well; Read, Zach, and Alayna. His son Rollie had six children; Peyton, Anessa, Octavia, Xaviar, Mac, and Vaughan. Ricky also had six children; Taylor, Kaylie, Logan, Cerena, Hallie, and Jaxston.