Roger William Bollinger

Roger William Bollinger of Gainesville, Georgia and longtime former resident of Norris, Tennessee

passed away peacefully on October 11, 2022 with his hand clasped gently with love by the apple of his

eye, his daughter, Kristi. Roger was born on July 14, 1934 at Merry Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to

the late Roy Hicks and Margaret Fee Bollinger. He leaves his beloved daughter Kristi Marie Bollinger

and favorite son in law Brian Timothy Meagher of Gainesville, Georgia, and brothers David Bollinger (and

wife Marilyn) of Russellville, Arkansas, Richard Bollinger (and wife Geri) of DeSoto, Texas, and Courtney

Bollinger (and wife Anna) of Naples, Italy and a number of nieces and nephews.

Roger grew up in Malvern, Arkansas, and had fond memories of camping and fishing with his brothers

and father, and watching movies with the family at the drive-in on Saturday nights.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 where he served our country. He began his education at Jacksonville

University, then University of Florida where he earned a B.S. and M.S. in forestry. He furthered his

education at the University of Tennessee in later years. He was a member of Xi Sigma Pi, Alpha Zeta,

and Phi Kappa Phi. In 1956 while attending Jacksonville University he met the love of his life, the

beautiful and charming Janie Faye Keith. They married in Malvern, Arkansas after a three month

courtship. It was love at first sight. In 1961 after finishing at the University of Florida, he and Janie

packed up and moved to Asheville, North Carolina. He started his job here with the Tennessee Valley

Authority. During that summer he and his office mate decided to take a trip to Cataloochee in Maggie

Valley, North Carolina to consult with fellow forester Tom Alexander in a step to learn about land owners

who had made efforts to direct seed forest tree species, or reforest areas by planting or sowing seed

directly on the ground to start new forested sites. During this meeting Mr. Alexander mentioned that his

family was starting a small ski area the coming winter. Roger had a long interest in the subject of skiing,

so then the real work began. He and Janie took Red Cross courses, ski lessons and helped organize

the first Ski Patrol in the deep south in 1963. He became an expert skier, practiced outdoor emergency

care, search and rescue, CPR, and also was an instructor with the patrol and sometimes with the ski

school. He held many offices in his more than 45 years of volunteer and pro patrol service. Some of his

best memories were made at Cataloochee, especially after Halloween 1967 when Kristi, his little "witch"

arrived, and he could show her the magic of the mountain and the beauty of the freedom on the snow.

His TVA work had taken him to Norris, Tennessee where he was program manager for land reclamation

covering resource development, strip mine reclamation, forest wildlife management demonstrations, rare

and endangered terrestrial species and related activities throughout the Tennessee Valley. From 1975

until retirement he was involved in leadership for conducting TVA's coal contract reclamation and

demonstration projects involving over 50,000 acres of coal and noncoal mineral lands. From 1972 to

1975 he handled assessments, inspection and reclamation of the agency's W

estern U.S. uranium exploration activities. Society of American Foresters member from 1960. Authored

several reports on forestry and reclamation. Received Mitchell County, North Carolina Soil and Water

Conservation district award for outstanding contributions in resource conservation and USFS region

eight award for excellence in reclamation. Member and chair for Norris Watershed Board (responsible

for managing and operating the City's 2300 acre multiple use forest). Member and chair of the Anderson

County Conservation board. Secretary, Vice President, and President of Norris Lions Club. Norris City

Council (1986). Elected Mayor of the City of Norris (1987-1990).

After retirement he never slowed down. He continued later to volunteer at Cataloochee Ski Area as a

guest host. He worked in Norris on the Tree Commission, library board and continued with many other

environmental projects. He and Janie loved their work as volunteers at the Norris Dam Visitors Center

where they could share their knowledge of the history of the town with people from around the world. He

was active in every aspect of the Norris Religious Fellowship Church for many years and loved going to

the fitness center for exercise and socialization. He also volunteered with Janie in her Stroke clubs in

any way he could assist. He loved everyone and was loved by all in return. He will be desparately

missed and forever in our hearts.

A celebration will be held to honor The Life of Roger William Bollinger on October 23, 2022 from 2pm to

5pm at 5690 Truman Lane Gainesville, Georgia 30506

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Roger William Bollinger, please visit our Tree Store.