Roland R. Sawyer of Wheaton, a loving, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother and friend, passed away on September 24, 2023. Roland was born June 12, 1938 in Staunton, Illinois and soon moved to Litchfield, Illinois where he grew up. In 1956, he graduated from Upper Iowa University where he met the love of his life, Patricia Sawyer (nee Reilly). Roland and Patricia married in 1961 and made their home in Wheaton, Illinois.

Roland taught at Wheaton Central High School for 34 years and part-time at College of DuPage for over 20 years. Roland was beloved by all of his students and friends. He entertained them endlessly with his humor, stories of Litchfield and his many sayings (e.g., "you can't roller-skate in a buffalo herd").  He retired in 1994 with his wife and together they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Roland and Patricia were wonderful grandparents who attended all of their grandchildren's activities, from baseball and softball games to theatre productions.

When Patricia was diagnosed with ALS in 2012, Roland took care of her at home until she needed 24-hour medical care. After that he was by her side every day all day at the nursing home. After her passing, Roland visited Patricia every day at the cemetery until he was no longer physically able.

Roland is survived by his two daughters, Angela (Robert) Kneisel of Carol Stream, and Kimberly (Gerald) Duttlinger of Wheaton; four grandchildren, Christine Tait (Sean), Melanie Kneitmix (Evan), Rebecca Duttlinger and Michael Duttlinger; two great grandchildren, Ava Tait and Roland Kneitmix, his brother Wayne Sawyer (Nona) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Roland was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, his parents, Roland and Viola Sawyer, his in-laws Joseph and Charlotte Reilly, his brother-in-law, Joseph Reilly Jr., his brother Dave Sawyer, and his sister Loretta Bruce. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton. Funeral services and interment will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Hultgren and St. Michael Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Les Turner ALS Foundation, 5550 W. Touhy Ave., Suite 302, Skokie, IL 60077, in honor of his late wife Patricia. Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.