RIP TO OUR FRIEND JOE ROLLER

VICE PRESIDENT | DEVELOPMENT

We regret to inform everyone of our friend Joe's passing.  We have lost an amazing member of our HRI family!    Below we have included Joe's obituary.  

JULY 5, 1947 – JANUARY 26, 2023
Joe Roller age 75 of Kettering, Ohio passed away on January 26, 2023. He was born on July 5, 1947 in Crawford, Nebraska to the late Joe and Dolly Roller. Joe is preceded in death by his nephew John Roller. He is survived by his beloved wife Phyllis; his children Anna Roller Hess (Nate), David Roller (Jessica), and Sarah Clark (Andrew); grandchildren Finn and Gwendolyn Hess, Wren and Fox Roller, and Peyton, Evan and Owen Clark. He is also survived by his brothers Glenn Roller and Jim Roller (Lydia) and his nephew Jason Roller.

Joe was a graduate of Oklahoma State University where he met his wife Phyllis, both as members of the university marching band. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Captain in the infantry while also earning his “jump wings”. After his service, Joe earned a Master’s Degree of Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University. Joe spent his career working at the City of Kettering in the Planning and Development department where he made and enjoyed many wonderful friendships.
Joe lived his life following the teachings of Jesus Christ. His kindness was felt by his family and friends as well as anyone with whom he crossed paths. Joe was a man that didn’t know a stranger and delighted in conversation. He is remembered for his quick and cheerful wit and kind words. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to his family, friends, and beyond. Joe took joy in volunteering at his church, lending his talents to those in need, serving meals at the Life Enrichment Center of Dayton, and in his efforts traveling to Haiti to assist Children of Promise International in providing food, shelter, and care to the children there.
Joe was a loyal and dedicated father, husband, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed.
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Joe Roller joined HRI in 2006 as a commercial real estate agent. Since then, he has spent the majority of his time focused on raw land development and rezoning projects. He is currently our Vice President of Development.
After finishing his service with the U.S. Army in 1972, Joe and his wife used the GI Bill to earn his Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from Kansas State University College of Architecture and Design. While he was there  the American Society of Landscape Architects awarded him the National Honor Award for excellence in Landscape Architecture studies.

Straight out of college, he and his young family settled in Kettering, Ohio and joined the City of Kettering in their Planning & Zoning Department where he became the Development Coordinator.  One of Joe’s proudest accomplishments is being a part of the design team for the 100-acre renowned Lincoln Park & Fraze Pavillion project.   Joe also traveled the former Soviet Union and Afghanistan on behalf of the International City Managers Association (ICMA) to help newly independent towns and cities  with land planning. After 38 years with the City of Kettering, Doug Miller convinced Joe to retire from the city and start a new path in commercial real estate sales with HRI.

After moving to Kettering, Joe and Phyllis bought a house they liked, raised 3 great, productive kids, and are still there today.  Joe is an active member of his local church and is a season ticket holder to both the Dayton Dragons and the Dayton Philharmonic.  Whenever he gets a chance, he enjoys heading north to Canada for, as he calls it, "real fishing".

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