Colonel Rolf Erling Mickelson, USA(Ret) went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at the age of 90. He was born in Clinton, MN on July 17, 1916 to Olaf and Harriet Magdelene (Reynholdsen) Mickelson. He graduated from Augustana College, in Sioux Falls, SD, in 1938. He was principal and basketball coach of Canistota High School in South Dakota until he entered the military. After entering the Army as an enlisted man in July, 1941, Colonel Mickelson was commissioned the following April through the engineer's officer candidate school at Ft. Belvoir, VA. During World War II he served in Europe with the 22nd Armored Engineer Battalion, participating in five campaigns. Following the war, he attended Texas A&M in 1948-1949 with an advanced degree in Civil Engineering. In 1949, he served as Chief, Operations Branch, Supply Division, Engineer Section, Eighth Army and Japan Logistics Command. From 1952-56, he attended the Engineer School Career Course and completed the Army Command and General Staff College. In 1956, he served as the Executive Officer, US Army Philadelphia District, Corps of Engineers. In 1958, he was assigned as Chief, Installations Branch and Installation and Services Division with the Eighth Army Staff, Korea. In 1959, he served as Plans Officer in the Installations and Services element of the US Army, Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. In 1961, he served as Engineer Combat Battalion Commander and G4 for Fort Carson, CO. In 1963, he was the Engineer Inspector General for the Chief of US Army Engineers in 15 northeastern states. In 1965, he was Director, Department of Engineering and Military Science, US Army Engineer School, Ft. Belvoir, VA. In 1966, he was the Chief of Construction Division, Engineering Section, HQs, Eighth Army, Korea. From 1967 to 1971 he served as Senior Engineer Officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, HQs, Fourth US Army. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with second oak leaf cluster and two Bronze Star medals. He retired 31 October, 1971 with over 30 years of distinguished military service. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Sig and Orv Mickelson.
The family would like to thank the Doctors and staff at Brooke Army Medical Center and Life Care Hospital for their wonderful care and support. SERVICE: FRIDAY APRIL 20, 2007 12:45 P.M. MAIN POST CHAPEL BLDG 2200 WILSON BLVD The Rev. Kenneth Haupt officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association. Interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary.