Roland Ubbink Euwema
Roland transitioned peacefully from this life at his home in St. Thomas, surrounded by friends and family. He was 90 years old.
Born in 1934 in La Mars, Iowa, to Johanna Euwema and the Reverend Johan Euwema Roland lived in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Southern California.
He earned a B.A. in Geography from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and an M.A. in History from the University of Southern California. He was ABD (All But Dissertation) for his Ph.D. in History at the University of Southern California. He also earned a degree in Theology/Divinity from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey, the oldest seminary in North America affiliated with the Reformed Church of America. He funded his college and graduate degrees through hard work, taking on jobs that included working on farms, waiting tables, and doing construction. Remarkably, his work even included contributing to the original Polaris missile testing site.
Roland played high school and collegiate sports. He traveled extensively with his family to all of the continental United States. Roland loved music; he played the trombone, playing it with the USC Marching Band in the Rose Bowl Parade, in Symphony Orchestras, and in Jazz bands. He had a great voice and sang with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and in the Reformed Church choir.
In May 1961, Roland moved to St. Thomas, where he married Luisa Kean and became the father of two sons, Jon Robert and Jeffrey Alan. He remarried Paulina Gumbs on July 17, 1993, raising her children, Nadia and Kielon Richardson. Upon his arrival in St. Thomas, he worked with his father-in-law at the Osmond Kean Insurance Agency. In 1982, he purchased the agency, renaming it the Euwema Insurance Agency, which he later sold in 1995. Roland became an insurance consultant in 1997, continuing in this role until his passing. His clients included the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority, Virgin Islands Housing Authority, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, and the University of the Virgin Islands.
Roland was deeply involved in the community. He began as a poll worker during elections, sparking an interest in local politics. He was instrumental in forming the ICM party with Cyril King and served as its committee chair. He played a key role in advancing important legislation, such as lowering the voting age to 18 and establishing the Alien Interest Movement (AIM), which championed immigrants’ rights. Roland was appointed to the first governing board of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.
He was also an active member of the St. Thomas Reformed Church, several times serving on the Consistory as Deacon and Elder and as an Elder Delegate to Classis and General Synod of the Reformed Church of America. Roland sang in and directed the choir, taught Sunday school, and taught at the Hampton Institute Extension Program, designed to extend educational opportunities to communities beyond the main campus.
Roland had a deep love for the Virgin Islands. He firmly believed in the potential and goodness of Virgin Islanders. Many in the islands and beyond will greatly miss his presence and contributions.
Funeral services celebrating Roland’s life will occur at the St. Thomas Reformed Church on Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. There will be two viewings; the first will be held at Turnbull Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 14, from 4:00 to 6 p.m. The final viewing will occur at the St. Thomas Reformed Church on Feb. 15, at 9 a.m., just before the service.
