In Memoriam: Roland B. Mayne
Roland Mayne of Oakland, California, died September 2, 2006, at the age of 84. Roland will be remembered by many of you because of the conferences that he and his wife, Gwen, attended over the many years of their ARS activities together. His warm, friendly nature and good humor are remembered by all who knew him. California Chapter remembers him as being the man who did almost everything. Roland served in almost every capacity in the California Chapter, and he also served as our District 5 Director. Roland was renowned for being able to start rhododendrons from cuttings, for propagating plants in general and sharing them with others, for growing copious amounts of various delicious berries, and for grafting many varieties of a fruit tree onto a single trunk.
Roland was raised in Edes, Colorado. He attended college at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and then joined the Army Air Corps to serve his country in World War II. He moved to California in 1949. Roland was a long-term Alameda County Analyst and Executive Officer of the Alameda County Local Agency Formation Commission.
Roland and Gwen enjoyed working in their award-winning garden. Besides being active in the ARS, Roland was active with the California Rare and Unique Fruit Growers, the Business Men's Garden Club, The Covenant Church, The Boy Scouts, The California Historical Society, and various backpacking and fishing groups.
Roland is survived by his wife, Gwen, of 58 years, three sons and their families.