Roland (Rolly) Dollhopf, died peacefully on May 28, 2017, in Madison, Wis.

Roland was born in Pittsburgh to Edward and Susanna (nee Born) Dollhopf on August 3, 1928. He and his wife, Audrey Louise Schilpp, both attended West View High School in Pittsburgh and graduated with the Class of 1946. He earned his BFA degree at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1951, and his MSM at the Union Theological Seminary in 1958. From 1951 to 1956 he served in the Navy as Lieutenant JG aboard the Essex Class Aircraft Carrier, the USS Leyte. Roland and Audrey both were baptized, confirmed and married (1952) at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of West View, Pa.

He taught high school choral music for 32 years in Pittsburgh, for two years at Ingomar Junior High School of the North Allegheny School District, and then 30 years at North Allegheny High School, where he was known as “Mr. D.”

He served as organist and choir director at a number of churches in the Pittsburgh area, including Elfinwild Presbyterian Church of Glenshaw, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Wilkinsburg, St. John’s Lutheran Church of McCandless, Trinity Lutheran Church of Wexford, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Sewickley. He retired in 1991 and moved with his wife to Port Orange, Fla., where he continued to serve as organist and choir director at Faith Lutheran Church of Ormond Beach.

From 1975 to 1985 he was the choir director of the American Youth Symphony and Chorus, conducting seven concert tours throughout Europe with outstanding students selected from high schools throughout the U.S.

Roland is preceded in death (on May 2, 2017) by his wife Audrey Louise Schilpp, parents Edward Dollhopf and Susanna Born, his brother Edward J. Dollhopf, and sisters Ruth (Selden J.) Pearce, and Lois (John T.) Harris.

Roland is survived by sister LaVerne (William G.) Pennell, Jr., of Zelienople, Pa., son Mark (Marjo Anderson) Dollhopf of New Haven, Conn., and grandchildren Hans and Conner; son Kevin (Anna Palacios) Dollhopf of Clemmons, N.C., and grandchildren Klaus and Emma; and daughter Kristin Dollhopf of Madison, Wis.

A memorial service is being scheduled for a future date. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 1555 LPGA Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32117, or at give.salvationarmyusa.org.

Roland Dollhopf

August 03, 1928 - May 28, 2017

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