Rest in peace, Rollie Finner

Rollie Finner died Friday at the age of 75. He was the husband of Patti Finner, current president of Central States Numismatic Society and former vice president of the American Numismatic Association.

A visitation/wake occurred yesterday afternoon at their home in Iola. It was Rollie’s wish to do it that way. He had a long battle with cancer and he hoped his family and friends would feel better in familiar surroundings.

The coffin was placed in the living room not far from the chair I last saw him sitting in in August.

Rollie came to Iola in 1969 in the way many of us have. Chet Krause hired him. He was working at the time at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.

Chet liked Rollie’s photography and wanted to see his photos in Numismatic News. Photo pages were the result.

Rollie had a 28-year stint in the National Guard and his photos in service were award winners.

As might be expected, in addition to family, friends and neighbors came to pay their respects. Current and former employees of Krause Publications were among them.
Chet Krause himself also came as did Larry Shepherd, executive director of the American Numismatic Association, and Carol Shuman, ANA controller.

Rollie moved on from Krause Publications in August of 1970, but he remained part of the Iola community and an avid numismatist. His papers and his interest stayed with him until almost to the end.

I think Rollie would be pleased if he knew who came for the wake and the nature of the conversations. Sadness is unavoidable, but I think he was right, it was a much better gathering at his home.

The funeral and interment is at 11 a.m. today at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Iola.