Roland Hugo Eyermann, 1916–1998

Roland Hugo Eyermann was born on 26 January 1916 in the City of St. Louis. His parents were Florence Pauline Ebert, 1893–1970, and Hugo Bartholomew Eyermann, 1892–1964, both of St. Louis. Two sisters followed Roland. Virginia (Eyermann) Miller was born on 14 August 1917 and died in 2008 in Arizona. Ellen (Eyermann) Horn Tieber was born on 22 November 1919 and died in St. Louis County in 2005.

Roland married Sarah Vivian Meade in Waterloo, Illinois, on 9 October 1934 by a justice of the peace with Henry Crecelius as a witness. Vivian was the daughter of James Meade and Nell McCabe. This was an elopement and kept secret. On 1 May 1937, Vivian and Roland were again married, this time at Markham Memorial Presbyterian Church. Roland and Vivian were blessed with one son, Steven, and two daughters, Gail and Paula. Vivian passed on 23 August 1951 with burial in Mount Lebanon Cemetery and later moved to rest near Roland in St. Paul’s Churchyard.

Roland married Mildred (Zurbriggen) Lawrence, 1919–2009, in 1952 in St. Louis County. In 1966, they were divorced.

On 17 June 1969 Roland married again. A daughter, Nancy Lynn, was prematurely born of this union on 4 April 1970 and passed the next day.

Most of Roland’s working life was focused in the non-ferrous foundry business. In 1955, Roland was president and partner in Brentwood Castings, Inc. in Brentwood, Missouri. In 1969, Roland was president and owner with his son, Steve, of Atlas Casting Company in Barnhart, Missouri. Roland was the originator and owner of Victoria Fabricators.

Roland’s businesses were instrumental in the production of many sculpted creations by artists Ernest Trova, Robert Walker, and others. Among these are Trova’s “Falling Man” located in New York, Florida, and Clayton, Missouri. Other works include “Popeye” in Chester, Illinois; “Birds in Flight” and the three-foot medallion at the Blanke Boxwood Garden within the Missouri Botanical Gardens; Louis the IX’s sword on Art Hill; four 225-pound bells for ships being commissioned by the U.S. Navy, and a bell for CBC High School’s auction each year for at least ten years.

In 1966, Roland earned his private pilot’s license and purchased a Cessna. He participated in the Civil Air Patrol, and many Saturday and Sunday mornings were spent flying, often with his grandchildren.

In March 1977, President Carter lifted the travel ban to Cuba. The first six-day trip to fish at Treasure Lake in Cuba was held in October 1977. Roland, a casual fisherman, was on that tour, logging eighty-two bass on the first day.

Roland lived his entire life in St. Louis. At his home in St. Louis County, Roland died on 12 August 1998 with burial on 17 August 1998 in St. Paul’s Churchyard.

A Serbian spruce was planted in Roland’s memory at the entrance to Suson County Park in St. Louis County, the perfect place, since Roland made the dedication sign at the entrance to the park.

Written by Paula (Eyermann) Novak
August 2019

© 2019 St. Louis Genealogical Society