On the afternoon of Friday, November 18, 2010, as I was driving Tammy to a doctor's appointment for outpatient surgery, I got a call from Joe about a rare bird that started something like "whatever you are doing, drop it and get to Cherry Creek Res RIGHT NOW. Don't ask questions, just go." Joe was always good about getting the word out on good birds but tended to get a little worked up about the urgency of getting there when calling with the news. I told him my situation and he said to "drop Tammy off at the hospital, she won't mind and go back later and get her." He then told me it was the Ross's Gull and I needed to get to Cherry Creek NOW. Being a Dr., I'm sure he figured I didn't really need to be there for the surgery and she'd understand. Very pragmatic. That was Joe. He then hung up and I discussed the situation with Tammy who had heard the conversation. She said I could drop her off as she knew how rare the gull is, but after a moment's thought, I went to the hospital and stayed there with her. The next day I got to Cherry Creek early and saw the gull and saw Joe and thanked him. He said I took a chance on the bird still being there. I said I know but added at least I was still married and avoided a fight. Tammy got the bird on Monday.
Ira Sanders Golden, CO On Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 2:11 PM Jayne James <jaynejam...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: Jayne James <jaynejam...@gmail.com> > Date: Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 9:34 AM > Subject: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news > To: <guan1mex...@gmail.com> > CC: Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com> > > > I didn’t know Dr. Roller, but I just want to say that the outpouring of > admiration and respect for him that I’m reading makes me feel such > admiration and respect for all of you in the Colorado birding community. > Despite the sad occasion, hearing about this warm human connection is > comforting during these frightening, unhappy days. I’d like to add my > condolences to his family and friends. > > On Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 6:44 AM guan1...@gmail.com <guan1mex...@gmail.com> > Owrote: > >> I am so very sad to hear of Joe's passing. He touched so many people in >> so many ways with grace, humor, and kindness. When Joe talked to a person >> we each felt like we were the only person on the planet at that moment. He >> taught me many things about birds--how to look, how to see, and how to >> find. And with great thankfulness I remember how kind he was to me upon the >> death of my husband. He never forgot to ask how I was doing. To say I will >> miss you is such an understatement. >> >> Chris Owens >> Longmont >> On Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 10:35:55 AM UTC-7 greggg...@gmail.com >> wrote: >> >>> We have lost a towering figure in Colorado birding. Joe was a mentor and >>> teacher in my eyes. I remember Joe saying, "If you want to really learn >>> something, teach it. And to become an expert, teach the teachers." I have >>> found this to be true in my life. I learn something so much better when I >>> help others learn it as well. The moral, share your knowledge and it will >>> improve your understanding of the subject and help others as well. Joe will >>> be greatly missed. >>> >>> Gregg Goodrich >>> Highlands Ranch >>> >>> >>> On Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 8:45:53 AM UTC-7 Charles Hundertmark >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Joe was a dedicated and skilled birder. His name still sits at or near >>>> the top of many CFO county birding lists. When a rarity showed up at a >>>> Colorado location, it was likely he could tell you the year and location he >>>> had first seen that species in the state. >>>> >>>> But it is fitting that most of the memories we have of him are the >>>> personal connections. As many tributes reflect, Joe loved people as much as >>>> birds and related easily with people through humor, stories and empathy. >>>> >>>> Joe impacted my life in many ways, but one of my fondest memories was a >>>> meeting with Joe shortly after I had managed to use bear spray on myself. >>>> Seeing my inflamed red face, Joe asked what had happened. I explained in >>>> prosaic detail how I had closed the lid of a box containing the bear spray >>>> can and triggered the spray. At the conclusion of the story, Joe wryly >>>> observed, “You’ve got to tell a better story than that!” Years after, I’m >>>> still trying to figure out how to work a bear into the story. >>>> >>>> When Joe became President of Denver Field Ornithologists, his stories >>>> and humor always kicked off the meetings with an upbeat feeling. He took >>>> birding seriously, but knew that in the long run the purpose was fun. >>>> >>>> His manner was easy-going, but Joe brought out the best in the people >>>> and organizations he touched. >>>> >>>> Chuck Hundertmark >>>> Lafayette, CO >>>> >>>> On Nov 26, 2020, at 1:32 AM, Thomas Heinrich <tehei...@gmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Reading all the wonderful tributes to Joe helps temper the sadness and >>>> shock I'm feeling hearing of his passing. I remember meeting Joe soon >>>> after moving to Colorado in the late 90s. And while I didn't know him >>>> as well as many of you, I am truly grateful to have known him and >>>> connected with him on birding and music. I appreciated his welcoming, >>>> kind, supportive nature, his joy and enthusiasm for birding, and >>>> especially his humor. I will really miss reading his witty posts to >>>> Cobirds >>>> and crossing paths in the field from time to time. >>>> >>>> Thanks to all for sharing your stories and memories of Joe and >>>> celebrating his life and impact on the Colorado birding community. >>>> >>>> Joe shared this joke (maybe a bit of a musician's inside joke) in one of >>>> our last email exchanges: >>>> >>>> "The world is full of cello jokes, but here is my favorite - >>>> Q: Did you hear about the cellist who bragged that he could play 32nd >>>> notes? >>>> A: The rest of the orchestra didn't believe him, so he proved it by >>>> playing one." >>>> >>>> >>>> Thomas Heinrich >>>> Boulder, CO >>>> nyc...@aol.com >>>> >>>> On Thu, Nov 26, 2020 at 12:40 AM Karl Stecher Jr. <kste...@idcomm.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> I didn't know Joe was ill in this COVID-confined year, and my chest >>>>> sank when I read the news. >>>>> I don't know how long we knew each other. Besides the many encounters >>>>> at meetings, I recall the Ross' gull we watched together at Cherry Creek >>>>> SP >>>>> and the several encounters scanning Marston from the east side. >>>>> We had multiple exchanges of information with many of the humorous >>>>> comments one on one and not thought pertinent to all of cobirds. >>>>> I was always glad to see him. Not mentioned yet here (I think) is the >>>>> extensive knowledge he had of such things as history and literature, >>>>> besides medicine and birds. >>>>> It was a privilege to have known him. >>>>> >>>>> Karl Stecher >>>>> Aurora >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> *From*: "Robert Raker" <rlr...@comcast.net> >>>>> *Sent*: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 11:51 PM >>>>> *To*: "Colorado Birds" <cob...@googlegroups.com> >>>>> *Subject*: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> So very sad to hear this news. Besides being a great guy to bird with, >>>>> he was always so supportive discussing and providing advice regarding my >>>>> battle with cancer. Ironic that he ended up passing before me. >>>>> >>>>> Joe and I met in the most unusual of places, in a gastroenterology >>>>> clinic. It was time for me to have my colonoscopy and my physician by >>>>> chance turned out to be Dr. Roller. After the procedure, while I was >>>>> recovering from the anesthesia, he found out from my wife that I was a >>>>> birder and a photographer. So, in typical Joe Roller fashion, not ten >>>>> seconds after I regained consciousness, he very excitedly insisted in >>>>> taking me down to his private office to check out the penguin pictures he >>>>> had just taken on a trip to Antarctica. We’ve been great friends ever >>>>> since. You will be missed Joe!! >>>>> Rob Raker >>>>> Lakewood CO >>>>> Jefferson County >>>>> On Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 6:23:28 PM UTC-7 David Waltman >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Larry and others have done a great job of paying tribute to Joe, so I >>>>>> can’t add a lot. My experience was that he was so funny and fun to be >>>>>> around. So many of us benefited from his sharing of birding knowledge >>>>>> and >>>>>> humor including many who never met him but read his comments on cobirds. >>>>>> I >>>>>> once asked him after he retired if he missed working. He said he didn’t >>>>>> miss the responsibility, but he missed his colleagues. You can be sure >>>>>> that they missed him. >>>>>> David Waltman >>>>>> Boulder >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On 11/25/2020 3:45 PM Larry Modesitt <larry....@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Cobirders, >>>>>> >>>>>> The very sad news is that Joe died last night of cancer just after >>>>>> midnight. His wife Maryanne said that despite his pain, he was still >>>>>> cracking jokes with the nurses yesterday morning. “He made me laugh every >>>>>> single day,” she said. Either one of their boys, Dan and Tom, was always >>>>>> able to be with him for the past month. >>>>>> >>>>>> I was out running with my dog when Joe corralled us decades ago. >>>>>> That’s how I became one of many people Joe introduced to birding. That >>>>>> led >>>>>> to us birding together all over Colorado and the world. Joe’s love of >>>>>> teaching folks about birds, almost always with a humorous insight, >>>>>> continued through his illness. He was a valuable contributor to Denver >>>>>> Field Ornithologists, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Colorado Field >>>>>> Ornithologists, and the medical community. There has never been anyone >>>>>> like >>>>>> Joe Roller, and he will be missed greatly. >>>>>> >>>>>> We can believe that last night just after midnight, St. Peter laughed >>>>>> harder than he had all year. >>>>>> >>>>>> Larry Modesitt >>>>>> >>>>>> Arvada >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to cobirds+u...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/c6ccd713-4342-4f0c-b0a0-3762cd62ef2fn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/c6ccd713-4342-4f0c-b0a0-3762cd62ef2fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to cobirds+u...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/04860a94-f2b9-4dcb-b97b-4a6a5f198808n%40googlegroups.com >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/04860a94-f2b9-4dcb-b97b-4a6a5f198808n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to cobirds+u...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/23370b3cad4a494ea8cbcd2428871ecd%40idcomm.com >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/23370b3cad4a494ea8cbcd2428871ecd%40idcomm.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Thomas Heinrich >>>> Boulder, CO >>>> tehei...@gmail.com >>>> www.pbase.com/birdercellist >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to cobirds+u...@googlegroups.com. >>>> >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CADXhbwEGKaE0k2v9%3DD_gOboDCrYf_2zCPt8PmwBOZc%3DSr6qZWQ%40mail.gmail.com >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CADXhbwEGKaE0k2v9%3DD_gOboDCrYf_2zCPt8PmwBOZc%3DSr6qZWQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Colorado Birds" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/fd95e842-7766-4ce9-8ceb-2739aeaf2afcn%40googlegroups.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/fd95e842-7766-4ce9-8ceb-2739aeaf2afcn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- > Jayne > -- > Jayne > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Colorado Birds" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CADHFHpzcc-tnA%3D7VNKRpmbG-Q9m-z6ctsqu4Bo_Jbif3Do60FA%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CADHFHpzcc-tnA%3D7VNKRpmbG-Q9m-z6ctsqu4Bo_Jbif3Do60FA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- Ira Sanders Golden, CO "My mind is a raging torrent flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CABF3siFh%3DY6C6Re_ME%3DmSQfnfWDC4V-LZMdE9erUrvrCfPMqDQ%40mail.gmail.com.
