Rollin H. Whited (Redding ’66)
Posted: June 14, 2026
Rollin passed away on March 13, 2025, in Oak Harbor, WA, at age 86. He was born in in East Alton, IL, on February 21, 1939, to Guy and Thelma (Sibley) Whited. He had a brother, Earl.
He graduated from Edwardsville HS in Illinois in 1957 and received an agriculture degree from Southern Illinois University in 1963.
In 1969, Rollin married Judy Ann King in San Luis Obispo, CA. They had two sons, Mark and David, and were married 55 years.
Rollin’s 32-year career with the USFS began in 1963. He served assignments on the Shasta-Trinity, Los Padres, Tahoe, and Okanogan national forests. He was a rookie smokejumper out of the Redding base in 1966, going on to jump in 1967, 1970, and 1971 as well.
Rollin’s enjoyment and pride in his career stemmed from the variety of jobs he had. He was not only a smokejumper but also held positions in recreation management, timber management, land-use planning, and environmental analysis.
He retired from the Okanogan NF in 1995 and moved with his wife to Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island in Washington state.
His retirement activities included fishing, woodworking, showing his 1933 Oldsmobile at car shows, reading about the American West, and spending time with family, especially his four granddaughters.
He was a member of the NSA, the Whidbey Cruzers Car Club, and the North Whidbey Sportsman Association.
