Obituary of Roland M. Hendrickson

Roland M. Hendrickson, a long time Darien resident and father of Paul B. Hendrickson and Julie H. Whiting of Darien, and David L. Hendrickson of New Canaan, died on Friday, December 21, in Norwalk, CT. He was 84 years old. Mr. Hendrickson was born in Los Angeles, California on March 1, 1923. He was the son of the late Helmina and Walter Hendrickson. He received his early education in Kimball, Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Minnesota. Before entering the business world he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II in the Pacific theatre of action. Mr. Hendrickson, known as “Rollie,” retired from Pfizer, Inc., in 1988. He was President of the Agricultural and Animal Health Divisions and was also a Corporate Vice President. Mr. Hendrickson was active in a number of industry and civic organizations. He was a Director of DeKalb-Pfizer Genetics, the National Broiler Council and the Farm Foundation. He was also a Board Member of the National 4-H Service Committee. He was a former Chairman of the Animal Health Institute, former Board Member of the Food and Agriculture Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member of the Joint Committee for Agricultural Research and Development of the U.S. Aid Program, a former Trustee of the National FFA Foundation, and was National Chairman of the FFA Sponsoring Committee. He was also a past recipient of the National Agri-Marketing Association’s “Marketer of the Year” award. Mr. Hendrickson was a long time active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stamford, CT. He formerly served as Council President and was also on the Executive Committee. An avid golfer, he was a long standing member of the Country Club of Darien and served as past Chair of both the Grounds and Greens Committees. Mr. Hendrickson was predeceased by his wife of fifty-four years, Beverly A. Hendrickson and his sister, Marge Smith. He is survived by his three children, his daughter-in-law, Joan D. Hendrickson, son-in-law, Craig S. Whiting, four grandchildren, Robert M. Hendrickson, Courtney C., Pierce W. and Jackson D. Whiting all of Darien. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy H. Anderson of Minneapolis, Minnesota and two nieces and four nephews. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT, on Friday, December 28th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Memorial Service will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 884 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29th. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: University of Minnesota Foundation Roland and Beverly Hendrickson Scholarship Fund Fund #5480 PO Box 70870, CM 5834 St. Paul, MN 55170-3854 Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820