Henry E. Rohland

Henry E. Rohland, Lt. Col, USAF, Retired, 75, of Lebanon died Friday February 11, 2011 in the Hershey Medical Center from complications of Lung Disease. He and his wife Gretchen nee Krause Rohland, would have celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in March. Born in Lebanon on January 10, 1936, he was the son of the late Bright C. and Kathryn Erford Rohland. Hank graduated from his mother’s Happy Hour Kindergarten, from Lebanon High School in 1953, Mercersburg Academy in 1954 and Franklin and Marshall College in 1958. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force. He flew with Strategic Air Command as a navigator, first in KC-97’s, and then in KC-135’s with air refueling squadrons. He was on one of the SAC Crews at Otis Air Force Base, MA, his first assignment, ready to launch at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his next assignment at Bunker Hill AFB, IN, the family moved to Hawthorne, NV from where Hank served two tours of duty with Operation Combat Skyspot. In Vietnam at Dalat & Phoebie & NKP, Thailand, after assignments in Puerto Rico and Wichita, KS, the Rohlands moved to Weisbaden, Germany, in 1973 where Hank flew on (now declassified) Airborne Reconnaissance Missions around the Sino-Soviet Block with the 7405th Support Squadron. He was reassigned to Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein AFB, Germany from July 1976 to June 1978. Here he was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal for his accomplishments as Air Operations Officer & Chief, Operations Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations & Intelligence. His last assignment before retiring from the Air Force in 1981, was as commander of the SAC Alert Facilty at Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY. His decorations include the Bronze Star for his meritorious actions during an intense conflict in Vietnam. He faithfully honored the SAC motto “Peace is Our Profession”. The Rohlands moved back to their hometown of Lebanon in 1981. Shortly thereafter, Hank began a 25 year career with Lebanon Seaboard Corp., where his responsibilities included Risk Management. After his retirement in October, 2007, the Rohlands expanded their travel horizons, and have toured Australia, Peru, Egypt, and the Baltic Area to name a few. Hank was the consummate handi-man, woodworker, computer “expert”, clock repairman, and budweiser beer spokesman. No matter what life brought him, he was always “just right for the conditions”. He is survived by his wife Gretchen, their daughter Kathryn, her husband Todd Sollenberger, and their children Hannah & Josh; their daughter Betsy, her husband John Mosmiller and their daughters Grace, Allison, & Lindsey; and their daughter Mary, her husband John Robison and their children Paige and Matthew. His brother John’s widow, Phyllis, survives him as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Hank served the community on numerous Boards, to include the United Way, Lebanon County Historical Society, Church of the Good Shepherd and the Lebanon Community Concert Association. He was a loyal friend to many and a fabulous “Oompa” to his much-loved grandchildren. A memorial service honoring his life will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 3:00 PM from the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1500 Quentin Road, Lebanon, PA 17042. Visitation will be held from 1:30-3:00 PM prior to the service. Burial will be private. Memorials in his name may be sent to The Wounded Warrior Project, whose mission is to honor & empower wounded service members, at 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or to the Lebanon Community Concert Association, 212 W. Orchard Drive, Palmyra, PA 17078. The family requests no flowers, please. PDF Printable Version

Henry E. Rohland

January 10, 1936 - February 11, 2011