WOOSTER – Dr. Warren Leon Roller, 82, of Wooster, Ohio, died Sunday, April 1, 2012. He was born May 31, 1929 in Cass County, Indiana to Warren Clinton and Opha Marie Houser Roller.
On June 10, 1951, Warren was graduated from Purdue University, commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy, and then married his childhood sweetheart, Amanda Lou Polen, later that same evening.
From 1951-1953, he served with the US Navy aboard the USS Randall. Returning to Purdue University, he earned his M.S. and Ph. D. degrees in Agricultural Engineering.
For 35 years until his retirement in 1991, he worked for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) and The Ohio State University, where he served as Professor, Associate Chair, and Chair of the Department of Agricultural Engineering (now known as the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering). Dr. Roller’s career was characterized by his commitment to help family farmers improve their lives. His expertise was in the fields of livestock housing and environmental physiology, energy utilization in agricultural production systems, biomass energy conversion systems, and alternative energy applications. He was particularly gifted at research and development management. During his career, he authored hundreds of research papers, articles and proceedings; mentored dozens of graduate students; and served as plenary or keynote speaker on international symposia. During his tenure as Associate Chair of Agricultural Engineering, he more than doubled the research funding coming from outside grants and contracts. During his tenure as Chair of the Department, the new OSU Agricultural Engineering Building was funded, designed and built. Completed in 1987, this new facility, with its state of the art equipment was the finest Agricultural Engineering facility in the U.S.
He was a member of the Wooster United Methodist Church since 1959. He served as a trustee of the Church, taught an adult Sunday School class and was instrumental in the design and planning for a major church remodeling. He also was an active supporter of the YMCA, and he and Amanda enjoyed square dancing with the Gnat Boxers.
Devoted to his family, he enthusiastically supported his children in all of their endeavors, including becoming certified to officiate at swim meets and volunteering to time or to officiate at almost every swim meet for a 15 year period.
Warren might have been most in his element when working to improve 40 acres of rough land just west of Wooster that he purchased in 1975. Whether he was timbering wood, rerouting stream beds, creating holding ponds, or constructing barns, houses or roads, he loved to be creating functionality out of chaos.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Amanda; children Warren Charles (Katie) Roller of Wooster, Cheryl A. (Chuck Taylor) Roller of Columbus, Barbara L. (Mike) Weber of Lovettsville, VA, Robert A. (Sara Fulghum) Roller of Tallahassee, FL and Diane K. Roller of Columbus; grandchildren Angie Roller, Warren Scott Weber, Sara Weber and Alex Roller-Knapp.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Howard, Woodrow, Hobart Deed and Melvin; and sisters Evelyn Crowell and Nellie Sparks.
Friends will be received at the Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St, Wooster on Saturday, April 7 from 3:00 to 4:00. A Service of Remembrance will follow immediately at 4:00 pm with Rev. Dr. David Wilcox officiating.
In the interest of furthering research and curing Alzheimer’s Disease, the family of Warren Roller is donating his brain to The Memory Disorders Clinic at The Ohio State University Medical Center.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County, 2525 Back Orrville Rd, Wooster, OH 44691, to the Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 1815 W. Market St., Suite 301, Akron, OH 44313.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the fami

Memorial Contributions
Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or the Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 1815 W. Market St., Suite 301, Akron, OH 44313

Service
Service of Remembrance at the Wooster United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 4:00 P.M.

Visitation
Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 3-4:00 P.M. at the Wooster United Methodist Church