Crane, Rolland P
Rolland Pitts Crane, September 13, 1920September 18, 2016, born to Marie Pitts Coe Crane and Guy Walter "Pop" Crane in Salt Lake City, UT and spent his early years in Eureka, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-brother Guy "Bud" Crane, and two step-sisters, Georgia McLean Crane and Frances Marion Crane.
He attended University of Utah in Salt Lake City, pledged as a member of fraternity Sigma Nu. He participated in ROTC and was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the US Army Air Forces (AAF) in 1942, serving in World War II as an aircraft maintenance engineer in Recife, Brazil, and Ascension Island. He left the service as a captain in 1946 and returned to University of Utah to complete his mechanical engineering studies, graduating in 1948. He also received certificates of appreciation signed by General Hap Arnold and President Truman.
He met the love of his life, Lorraine Valentine Jenson at Saltair, and married on March 15, 1947 in Salt Lake City, and was often heard singing lines from the song "My Sweet Lorraine." Rolland and Lorraine had four children, Patrick Conrad Crane of Socorro, NM, Jan Whitney Crane of Panama City, FL, Mark Walter Crane (Barbara) of Colorado Springs, CO and Eric Rolland Crane (Gretchen) of Pittsburgh, PA, and four grandchildren, Sean Crane of Fort Collins, CO, David Crane of Colorado Springs, Abigail Crane of New York City, NY and Rachel Crane of Pittsburgh, PA.He is also survived by his close friend and travel companion Cynthia Schafer.
Rolland and Lorraine moved to Pittsburgh in 1948, and subsequently to Scottdale, PA, then Lewistown, PA, Kennett Square, PA and then to Greensburg, PA, working in the steel industry.
Lorraine died in 1982, and Rolland retired from Duralloy Blaw-Knox in 1985. Rolland moved to Rio Rancho, NM in 1987 where he renewed his love for golf and began traveling to far-off places with his friends. He was an avid bridge player, and also enjoyed family card games such as Oh, Heck! and Liverpool Rummy. He enjoyed researching the history of mining in Utah, publishing a map of historical Tintic Mining District claims in 1993, and collecting mining stock certificates. He was also a fan and collector of Persian and Southwest American Indian rugs, and brass.
At 96, Rolland had lived a long and varied life, and leaves great memories and close-knit family and friends. Graveside inurnment service at Mt. Olivet cemetery, Salt Lake City, UT. To view information or leave a condolence please visit
www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 3113 Carlisle Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-884-1188