Roland W. “Rollie” Finner died of cancer Sept. 18 in Iola, Wis., at the age of 75.
Husband of Patti Finner, current Central States Numismatic Society president and former American Numismatic Association vice president, Mr. Finner was a lifelong collector and hobby volunteer.
He had just retired from his third stint as editor of The Centinel, the official quarterly publication of Central States. He had also served the organization as a member of its board of governors.
Mr. Finner was a president of Numismatists of Wisconsin and also a vice president. He made his service distinctive in that he held the offices in reverse order.
He received a Numismatic News Ambassador Award May 20, 2000, during the NOW show in Iola.
Then it was noted that he was a charter member and a past president of the Winona, Minn., Coin Club.
His was also a familiar voice at the message center of Central States conventions and later at ANA events.
He was an acknowledged expert on the Norse thick and thin medals of 1925 and had won exhibit awards at shows for this topic.
He joined the ANA in 1953.
Mr. Finner married Patti in Iola April 29, 2000, before family, friends and hobby luminaries at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
During his career he had served 28 years in the Army National Guard, where he won photography awards, worked briefly as a photographer at Krause Publications 1969-1970 and later became a quality control inspector at the Waupaca Foundry.
Mr. Finner was buried Sept. 21 with military rights at Our Savior’s cemetery in Iola.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Iola Living Assistance, P.O. Box 237, Iola, WI 54945.
A memorial service was being planned at press time.
