RAPID CITY | James R. “Rollie” Robbins, 93, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Meadowbrook Golden Living Center. He was born Nov. 7, 1921, in Tyndall to Guy and Delia (Allen) Robbins. Rollie was the youngest of 16 children.

Rollie’s early years were spent in Hermosa and Rapid City. When WWII broke out in 1941, he was working as a mechanic at Smith and Jones Garage in Rapid City. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on July 25, 1942, and was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on Dec. 7, 1945. While in the service, Rollie worked as an airplane maintenance technician with the 9th Air Division in England, France and Belgium. He worked as a crew chief in charge of maintaining C-47’s while in flight and he also supervised ground repairs and maintenance.

After returning from military service, Rollie and Carney Steele began building houses around Rapid City. He continued to build and remodel houses until his retirement.

On Sept. 22, 1947, he married Florence Foley in Sturgis. Florence passed away in 2008.

He loved to hunt and fish, whether it was deer hunting in the Black Hills, pheasant hunting in eastern South Dakota or going fishing for crappies, walleye or northern pike.

As his health declined, he moved into an assisted living home and later a nursing home. He enjoyed the visitors that stopped by to see him and especially loved to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rollie is survived by his sons, Craig, Stuart (Pam) and Kirk (Lori); seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mildred McDermott.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, with 6 p.m. prayer services led by Pastor Scott Hultgren.

Interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 13, at Mountain View Cemetery, with military honors.