Richard Edward Rollins (Rich), Commander USN Retired, lost his fight with Parkinson's Disease on November 21st, 2025 in Avon, Indiana.

Born June 18,1943 in St. Louis, Missouri to Robert Rollins and Patricia Schmidt Rollins, he is a 1961 graduate of Lindbergh High School, Rich enlisted in the US Navy after graduation and left for boot camp at the San Diego Naval Training Center.  While there, he was selected to attend the US Naval Academy by way of the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Bainbridge, Maryland.  He entered the US Naval Academy with the Class of 1966.  As a Midshipman, he was assigned to 2nd Company and was a member of the Catholic Choir and the Naval Academy Glee Club.  He always talked about singing "Danny Boy" on the lawn of the White House during JFK's funeral procession.

After graduation, Rich reported to Flight Training at Pensacola NAS and began his Naval Career as a Helicopter Pilot.

During his 27-year Naval career he flew mostly Sikorsky H3's and was involved with anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue. He returned to Pensacola as a Flight Instructor.

In 1973, Rich was assigned to HC-1 Det 2 and stationed aboard the USS Midway. It was at the O Club on Atsugi NAF that he met a Department of Defense school teacher. Everyone knows his pick-up line ("Hi, I'm Rich.  I'm single"). Thus began a relationship that lasted over 52 years.

Rich returned to duties in San Diego in January 1976, and he and Shirl were married at the Navy Chapel on North Island on April 30th, 1976.  During the time in San Diego, a daughter, Jenni and son James made the family complete.

In 1982, Rich was selected to attend the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California where he earned his Master's Degree in Computer Science.  His next duty station was at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Rich retired from the Navy in 1988 and began a second career as a Defense Contractor working in Plans and Policy at US STRATCOM Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. In 2015, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and moved to the Indianapolis area in 2017 to be closer to family.

The highlights of his Naval Career were three rescues at sea and his participation in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon on April 29th, 1975.

Rich was preceded in death by his grandson, Carson Thomas; his Father and Stepmother Robert and Thelma Rollins of St. Louis; his mother Patricia Martin of New York and his mother and father-in law Jim and Virgina Norton of Negley, Ohio.

Besides his wife and best friend, Shirl (Norton), he is survived by his daughter Jenni (Eric) Thomas and grandson Samuel of Indianapolis; son James (Nicole Aloi) of Negley, Ohio; brothers John of Springdale, Arkansas; Robert and Chris (Judy) Rollins of St. Louis; Uncle Thomas Rollins and Aunt Pam (John) Mahar of St. Louis; many friends and family members all over the world.

Rich is a member of Calvary United Methodist Church Brownsburg, American Legion University Post 360, USS Midway Museum, a life member of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association and an avid Nebraska Husker fan. He will be remembered for his love of family and friends, his musical talents, and his beautiful smile.

Family and friends will celebrate Rich's life at a memorial service on Sat. Dec. 13th at Matthews Mortuary Brownsburg, IN, with visitation from 10am to 12pm.  Inurnment at the USNA Columbarium will occur at a later date.

Memorial donations may be directed to: Fight Back Fitness at www.fightbackfitness.org Honor a Fighter Rich Rollins 1531 E. Northfield Drive Unit 800, Brownsburg, IN 46112; or USNA Alumni Association and Foundation, 301 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402 Attn: Class of '66; or Carson Thomas Memorial Scouting Sponsorship Hendricks County Community Foundation, 6319 East US Highway 36 Suite 211, Avon, IN 46123

Special thank you to the VA Caregiver Support Program, Senior Helpers of Indianapolis and ANEW Hospice.

Fair winds and following seas Commander