Roland Wolfe

I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in Feb. 1961 with a BS EE and a reserve commission in the AF. I went to pilot trng at Vance AFB, OK where I met and married Merrietta Randolph, my wife of 46 years. I had asked God to show me the one He wanted for me and He did, one enchanted evening. I graduated in May '62 and was assigned to Pope AFB where I spent 6 years (in C-123 and C-130s), much of it TDY; twice to Viet Nam and several rotations to Europe and other places. In 1968 the AF sent me back to OU for a MA in Math under the AFIT program. Then in 1970 I served SPACETRACK at Eglin AFB for 3 years as a computer programmer and analyst. Then 1974 it was back to the cockpit in C-130s for 4 years in The Rep. of the Philippines in C-130s. In 1978 I was reassigned to Dover AFB, DE where I flew C-5s until my retirement in 1989. During this time a disaster happened which caused us to get on our knees. I realized that I needed to check out Jesus. He made some incredible claims and I am now persuaded that He is indeed Lord.

I loved Flying. When I retired, I told the Lord I wanted to do what He wanted me to do, but if it was all the same to Him I hoped he'd let me continue flying. But, after a couple of years, I sensed He wanted me to preach so I went to seminary, was ordained, and served as an elder with Kansas West UMC for 9 years. I retired again in 2003 and my wife and I moved to VA to help our youngest son raise our three granddaughters. Our middle son lives in Shippensburg with his wife and our 2 grandsons. Our oldest son is still single and lives in Denver.

We arrived in France in Oct '52 and left in '56 when I graduated. In a sense my first 14 years were spent as a civilian in Oklahoma and the 4 years of high school as an Army Brat in France. What a contrast. I was amazed at the differences between civilians and brats. I was fascinated. The brats had savoir faire, They were bright, imaginative, and good. They easily adapted to the customs of other cultures and we were able to live in the advantage of being an American plus the advantage of being in France. Paris attracted some very exceptional teachers (Coste, Harvey, Brewer). High school was a high point and college disappointing. I was so thankful for the experience. I didnt know it then, but my faith was being formed in the music we learned in choir: God so Loved the World, Wayfaring Stranger, Beautiful Savior, Battle Hymn. I loved the choir trips to Germany, the senior clas trip to London, and the basketball and football trips. My Graduating class was about 40, but I really got to know so many more since every year there was a new crop of kids, with many lovely girls.

I went to the reunion not expecting much - since there was only one other from my class to be there. I was looking forward to being with my brother Jon and that was indeed a great blessing. But I was surprised. I found a comradie beyond class that I didn't expect. We are all brats who went to a most remarkable school. We had a common experience. My wife and I had attended her 50th last fall in Enid OK where she knew and had grown up with everyone there. I knew very few at my reunion, and yet we all who had no roots had a common root. It was nice. I was glad I went.