Rollin E. Hurlbut

Passed away on January 15, 2022, in his home, with his wife and sons by his side. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Long Hurlbut, and sons Stephen, (Margaret) of Eugene, Oregon, and Gary (Loring), of Mays Landing, NJ, and grandchildren (David Dmitri (Dana), Marina, and Madeleine and his brother Dwight of Chattanooga TN. His pride in, and love for his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren knew no bounds. Born in 1931, Rollie had an idyllic childhood in Aurora, Illinois, the youngest of five. He and Betty met at Millikin University where Rollie earned a degree in business and made lifelong friends, especially with his SAE fraternity brothers. He and Betty moved to Chicago in 1954, where he worked for 3M. Frequent camping trips out west and love of the mountains led Rollie to relocate his family to Salt Lake City in 1970, where he became General Manager for A.H. Pembroke. Upon retiring in 1990, he and Betty accepted a Peace Corps posting to St Kitts. They taught at the local schools and befriended Kittitians and the younger American volunteers. They would continue to visit the Caribbean regularly, bringing much-needed school supplies to donate there. Upon returning stateside, Rollie became a docent in Hogle Zoo's education program, taking snakes, owls, small mammals, and large insects into classrooms. He also volunteered in the “Ski with Ranger’” program at Solitude. When Betty became an assistant for “Traveling Treasures” for the Utah Natural History Museum, Rollie worked by her side, building exhibits and driving the traveling van. He also volunteered in the community, growing food in the church community garden and gathering items for a halfway house and an assistance store downtown. He and Betty found time to travel frequently in the US and Europe, often doing home exchanges. He had an abiding curiosity about the world. He could repair anything. Rollie had a lifelong passion for sports. He lettered in multiple high school sports, played YMCA basketball, and church league softball. He coached Steve’s baseball teams and played tennis and pickle ball into his 80’s. His generous and open heart made him beloved by all. There are too many people to thank here, but we would especially like to express our gratitude to Rachel and Wendy of Quality Hospice. A celebration of a life well lived will be held in the spring at the Soul Community Garden at Cottonwood Presbyterian Church in Murray. Date and time will be announced later.