Rolf Oscar Gullans

Rolf Oscar Gullans, 89, died peacefully at his Savannah home on July 1, 2016. He is survived by Mary Lou (Clark), his loving wife of 65 years, and his four children and their spouses, Steve and Stenie Gullans, Louise and Edwin Brooks II, Joan Gullans-Pluck and Garrett Pluck, and Ann and Andrew Nash. He felt blessed to spend many enjoyable years with his 10 grandchildren and more recently with his two great-grandchildren.



Rolf believed passionately in the American Dream and the 4th of July was his favorite holiday. He was born in West Springfield, MA to Finnish immigrant parents and graduated early from high school to join the war effort as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corp. He attended the University of Massachusetts on the G.I. Bill and received a B.S. in Engineering. Rolf spent a career in the paper industry which led to 10 moves around the U.S. before he retired as a senior executive at International Paper Corp.

Rolf and Mary Lou moved to Savannah from Wilton, CT in 1994 and developed many wonderful friendships. Rolf loved sports, particularly golf and tennis, and was well known as an avid competitor.



A memorial service will be held this autumn on a date to be determined.



The family is deeply grateful to Quelin Frazier for her loving support and to all of Rolf's friends who made his life so wonderful.



In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts in memory be made to support Parkinson's research in the laboratory of Dr. Clemens Scherzer, who was very helpful to Rolf. Checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women\'s Hospital and sent to: Brigham and Women\'s Hospital Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116.