Scottsbluff Star Hearld Scottsbluff, NE 7 Jul 2007 Roland Hilary Schilz was born July 5, 1936, in Peetz, Colo., to Hilary and Inez "Ripp" Schilz. He was the seventh child of 12 children. He married Rossanne Hale on August 27, 1960, in Chadron, and together they had two children. They lived in the Chadron area while he completed his education. All together Roland spent 32 years in education as a teacher, coach and administrator. The last 13 of those years were spent in Atkinson. He received his Bachelors of Education degree from Chadron State College in 1962, and his Masters of Science in education degree from Chadron State College in 1966. In 1975 he received his Specialist in Education degree from the University of Nebraska. He also sold real estate and insurance for a period of time. Roland was a Korean War veteran serving in the U.S. Navy from May of 1954 to June of 1957. He enlisted at the age of 17. He served aboard the USS James E. Kyes, DD 787. Their ports of call included Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand, and the Marshall Islands for hydrogen bomb tests. Roland had a tremendous love for old cars, gardening, and animals. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. Roland passed away on his favorite holiday July 4, 2007, after a lengthy battle with diabetes related illnesses. Funeral services will be Saturday July 7 at 2 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Atkinson with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson. Survivors include his wife Rossanne of Atkinson, children Deborah Surber and husband Wyatt of Scottsbluff, and Tim Schilz and wife Tina of Norfolk; three granddaughters Taylor and Jordyn Surber of Scottsbluff, and Riley Stahlecker of Madison; brothers Arlin Schilz of Farmington, N.M., Gary Schilz of Sidney, Gordon Schilz and his wife Pat of Fort Morgan, Colo., and Darrell Schilz and his wife Janice of Gering; sisters Audrey Sterkel and her husband Bob of Sidney, Marlene Hergenrater and her husband Cap of Hillrose, Colo., and Diane Hoff and her husband Marv of Loveland, Colo.; one sister-in-law Alene Schilz of Kimball. Roland was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers.