Obituary of Alden M. Rollins

Alden M. Rollins (1946-2024)

Alden had a terrific memory stretching all the way back to his childhood in Billerica, Massachusetts. He fondly recalled the freedom he had riding his bicycle across town to visit his many relatives. Of course, he had to call home to confirm that he had arrived safely. On the way home, he was allowed to stop at his uncle’s gas station for an orange soda pop. This feeling of adventure, and warm greetings wherever he went, stayed with him 70 years later.

He particularly remembered all the important houses in town and would give an impromptu tour when in Billerica. He would point out the house where he had piano lessons. He could remember all his friends’ names and where they lived, the street name and usually the address number.

He was the oldest grandchild and he must have been winsome when it came to expressing interest in items his relatives had. Apparently it was a successful strategy as older relatives offered to give him things. He was given items, some right off his grandfather’s desk. He ended up with a nice collection of little childhood treasures from Billerica.

Alden had a lifelong love of Billerica and its history. He left Billerica years ago but it never really left him.

Chester, Vermont 

Classmates Memories of Alden

Alden came to Chester around 1958, living on a farm located on Popple Dungeon Road. Classmates remember him going to 7th and 8th grade at the Academy, which now houses the historical society.

At Chester High School, he was President of the Student Council. He was able to initiate the promotion of a foreign student exchange program. He went to All State and was an Editor for the yearbook and school newspaper, The Chester Chatter. He participated in Model UN,  plus was on the debating team.

His yearbook (1964) quote fit him to a T “Facts are better than dreams.” He was voted the most likely to succeed, most studious, and most musical. We knew as classmates we could always depend on Alden.

 Anchorage, Alaska 

written by his colleagues at the University of Alaska Anchorage

Alden M. Rollins (1946-2024)

Our dignified, erudite, and long-time former library colleague, Alden M. Rollins, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, surrounded by his family. Alden was himself an institution at the Consortium Library, serving as reference librarian and head of government documents for 35 years. His steady demeanor and droll sense of humor were legendary. Alden loved being an Alaskan and was a proud member of the Pioneers of Alaska. The group will be adding a plaque in his name to their wall next year on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025.

After earning his MLS from the University of Rhode Island, Alden joined the brand new Consortium Library when it opened in 1973. Throughout his career, he served on many university and library committees, and from 1992-1997, he was head of reference, and served as the Interim Library Director until the current Library Dean was hired. Alden retired in 1999, when he was awarded Professor Emeritus of Library Science, only the second library faculty member to be so honored. He continued to work on various library-related projects until he fully retired in 2008.

But at heart, Alden was a scholar. In addition to two published books on Roman history, his passion was genealogy. He was active in the Cook Inlet Historical Society and the Anchorage Genealogical Society, and being a proud New Englander, worked closely with genealogical repositories and archives in that part of the country as well. He authored or contributed to numerous indexes, catalogs, and reference guides relevant to both Vermont and Alaska.

Alden, we were privileged to know you. You will be missed. 

From Daria Carle, with Arlene Schmuland, Nancy Lesh, and Dean Steve Rollins.

August 29, 2024.

A few other details and memories 

From Bruce Merrell

Alden made his first (involuntary) trip to Alaska in the 1960s.  As a draftee Army medic he was assigned to a Nike missile base outside Fairbanks and years later would often "thank his lucky stars" for landing that duty station.  In retirement he toured the near-identical Nike Site Summit on a mountaintop near Anchorage and shared (mostly) fond memories.

--He was frugally faithful to his New England roots: he loved shopping for bargains at thrift stores, especially for books, videotapes, and CDs that he added to his perpetually overflowing home library.  History, biography, travel, religion, and classic movies were favorites.  He found numerous Persian throw rugs at antique shops and auction houses and the floors of his long-time home at the downtown Fountains condominium were covered with them.

--Alden served on the board of The Fountains for many years, also took an interest in the landscaping of the grounds, and developed a lobby display for the fiftieth anniversary of what was one of the first condominiums in Anchorage.

--Alden loved dining out with friends, where meals and conversation always lasted for hours--the longer, the better.  La Cabana (with a discount coupon), Olive Garden (spaghetti and meatballs, with a bib), and especially, supper at Club Paris (petite filet mignon, Key lime pie) were favorites.  On Sundays he often made boiled dinner for himself--a New England staple.

--His shopping habits were regular enough that he knew many service workers by name: favorite waiters, post office workers, grocery store checkers, and pharmacists.

--Alden was a regular at the Anchorage Senior Center where he would drop off surplus books, use a computer, check out the gift shop, and linger over a lunchtime cheeseburger.

--Alden was a big man and he drove big cars.  As soon as he arrived in Anchorage in the early 1970s he bought a used red and black AMC Rambler Ambassador, which was followed by a full-sized Oldsmobile and finally, his beloved silver 1993 Lincoln Town Car.

Speaking of Ramblers, he told a story about family's move from Billerica to Chester after your father began work in Vermont.   Mother was driving from the Billerica house the few short miles across town to grandmother's house. It took forever because of a wicked March snowstorm. The Rambler had vacuum driven wipers and did a poor job. Mother had to stop frequently to clear the snow from the windshield.  Alden was in the front seat with the family dog, Billy, who whined and licked his face the whole way.

Alden’s Mother was scared and unnerved driving in a dangerous snowstorms with four kids and a dog whining and complaining the whole way.  Nobody noticed that Billy’s tail was slammed shut in the door!

--Alden resisted new technology, and never bothered getting a cell phone.  His first home computer came just a few years ago when the family gave him his Chromebook.

--While flying on Alaska Airlines he usually wore a light blue sports jacket, colorful socks, and carried a vintage TWA travel bag that sparked conversations with fellow travelers.

--Late in life, he dreamed of flying around the world, just to gaze down on the architectural wonders of civilization: the Taj Mahal, the pyramids, the Hagia Sophia, the Parthenon, and of course, Rome