Yet over three years ago he

was introduced to my husband, Gene. What seemed like a casual meeting

turned out to be a life-altering experience for both of them. This boyishly

shy, gentle man was to take on a role not even Gene could foresee. It

wasn't long before they became best friends.

They were so different but

shared one common love motorcycles. They knew every nut and bolt, every

accessory to every kind of bike. Gene admired his knowledge of bikes and

Rolland admired Gene's abilities to work on them. They bought, sold and

traded bikes regularly as if searching for that perfect bike.

After a year or so of daily

lunches and constant talk about how great Rolland was, I had the privilege

to get to know him too. I found he was also an expert on computers and

helped me install new programs and equipment.

His patience and knowledge

truly amazed me. There just was nothing he didn't know about and no subject

unfamiliar to him. I was told he read four newspapers everyday off the

Internet to keep himself informed. And he was that!

He spent a good bit of time

on the Internet investigating new and interesting websites for bikes and

products he and Gene would enjoy. Whenever he came across anything he

felt we needed to know he would e-mail us the information. This was a

daily routine. I remember coming home after a four-day trip to find 68

e-mails on our computer 53 of them from Rolland!

When he wasn't at home or at

work, he was with Gene, either tinkering on a bike, visiting the many

bike shops around town or having one of their many powwow lunches discussing

bikes. I was fortunate enough to have been invited to several of these

lunches and loved picking his brain on so many different subjects.

If we ever had a question,

we knew to ask Rolland. But he never made you feel less smart. He never

sought to be the center of attention but made you feel smart just for

asking a question! But his brilliance was just a small part of who Rolland

was.

His generosity was astonishing!

He was selfless. He was kind and so eager to please. He never raised his

voice nor said an unkind thing about anyone. He respected all people and

things around him. He listened patiently to anything you had to say. He

always put others before himself and never wanted credit for anything.

Giving was just reward enough to him.

He had a great sense of humor,

using himself as his favorite punching bag. He had a boyish giggle when

opening any conversation, whether in person or on the phone. You always

knew who it was. It automatically put a smile on your face. He wore a

constant smile that was very comforting.

He smiled so much that our

8-year-old daughter, Jennifer, once asked me where was daddy's "Chinese"

friend his smile was so broad, it made his eyes squint almost shut so

that he looked oriental.

I'll never forget his brilliant

orange helmet. Maybe you've seen him in town he could be spotted a mile

away. But he felt safe in it. He was very cautious.

Which is why it's so surprising

that on, Oct. 13 at 10:15 a.m., a clear, brisk morning, while riding his

new motorcycle, bought the day before, he was struck by a ladder inappropriately

placed in the back of a truck. His helmet went flying as he was thrown

off his bike like a ragdoll and the bike proceeded on, toppling over and

over, until it came to a wooden fence and exploded.

According to witnesses, the

driver stopped, saw what had happened and drove away. He left Rolland

there to die, face down on the road. He had not worn his brilliant orange

helmet.

Rolland was on his way, as

he so often was, to our house to tinker on Gene's bike. Gene had waited

for him most of the morning before going to work. He tried calling all

day, leaving at least six messages, but of course, Rolland never called

back. It was not until 11:20 p.m. on his way home from work, that Gene

learned of Rolland's death from his sister.

As we continue to struggle

to understand why this happened, Rolland has been cremated and laid to

rest in Eastman, Ga. The truck driver has been found and faces charges.

Life goes on around us. Ours, too, will continue, I've no doubt, but it

will be forever changed.

Gene was Rolland's best friend

and Rolland was Gene's best friend. We will never forget him because he'll

live in our hearts forever. We feel so very lucky to have known him and

thankful that "Rolland was here!"

Marcy Walker

Fayetteville

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