Roland "Rollie" George Block

Roland George Block passed away in his sleep in Hospice care in Kalamazoo, MI on July 24, 2025, from a brain tumor. He was “Rollie” to all his friends and family, and “Mr. Block” to the thousands of children who, for over 30 years, learned the fundamentals of music from him in Gaylord, MI. He was 80 years old.

Rollie was born July 1, 1945, to Carl and Clara Block of Birch Run, MI. He was the fourth of six children. His Lutheran family valued music, humor, and integrity, three values which Rollie exemplified throughout his life. In high school, he washed dishes at “The F.B.I.”, as he called it. You might know it as the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn, where his mother sold fresh-baked bread for many years. He studied at Delta Community College, then Central Michigan University, where he graduated with a degree in Music Education in 1971. He then was hired as an Elementary Music Teacher for Gaylord Community Schools, where he taught until he retired in 2006.

Working at North Ohio Elementary in Gaylord, he met and fell in love with fellow teacher Barbara Troyer from Mancelona, MI. She became his wife of 51 years. Mr. & Mrs. Block eventually found themselves to be beloved minor celebrities in Gaylord, having taught so many of its young citizens. Rollie and Barbara had three children, all of whom became teachers themselves.

Rollie’s love of music found many outlets in Gaylord. He directed the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church for 30 years, as well as the Otsego County Choral Society. He sang tenor in “The E.H. Singers”, a men’s quartet. Over the years, children and adults enjoyed singing along to the folk and comedy songs he would perform, accompanying himself on his guitar. He even wrote a catchy jingle for local Public Radio Station WCMU which was used for years during their annual pledge drives. Rollie and Barbara were quite the team, volunteering their skills as music directors for many various community and children’s theatre productions. Occasionally Rollie would also get on stage, playing The Rabbi in “Fiddler on the Roof”, El Gallo in “The Fantasticks”, and Mr. Bumble in “Oliver!”, among others.

In the 1980’s, Rollie began working out seriously, using the “Nautilus” method. He became very fit and won chin-up competitions. He continued to go to the gym regularly until he was diagnosed with the tumor that took his life.

Rollie loved Horseshoe Pitching. He entered competitions all over the U.S. and occasionally took home a trophy. Rollie wrote and recorded a song for the Michigan Horseshoe Pitchers Association called “Need Another Ringer”, which can be heard on YouTube here, and at the Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in Jackson. He also loved to carve wood, creating a beautiful, personalized walking stick for loved ones. When it was your birthday, he would create for you a silly, funny, charming card from scratch.

Once Rollie and Barbara were both retired, they moved to Lawton to be closer to family. In retirement, he did crossword puzzles, read books, pitched horseshoes, watched the TV westerns and Smothers Brothers comedy bits he had enjoyed his whole life, spent countless hours outdoors doing yardwork, and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Anyone who ever met Rollie will remember him as a humble, kind, thoughtful, sweet, and often funny man. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Angela (Jonathan) Talmadge, son Paul (Lisa) Block, and daughter Amy (Shawn) Harbin, grandchildren Jacob, Sydney, Charlotte, and Bennett, his brother Melvin (Mary) Block, sister Debbie (Don) Buffington, Sister-in-Law Mary (George) Gude, brother Ernie (Tina) Block, and sister Kathy (Tom) Walz.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Jess Joyce officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Michigan Horseshoe Pitchers Association (MHPA), CMU Public Radio, or Centrica Care Navigators.