Ridgeway, 64 DOVER - A much-loved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Roland Roosevelt Ridgeway, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2012. Roland was born in Dover, on April 16, 1948. He was son of the late Roland Ridgeway (1967) and Barbara Mae Ridgeway 2004). Roland was raised in rural Kent County. After graduating from William Henry High School, he entered the United States Army where he proudly served our country in 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was Honorably Discharged in 1972. It was during his time of military service that he decided on a career helping people change their living conditions. Roland had a very successful career that spanned 42 years. He worked in the field of affordable housing and community development holding numerous positions in the nonprofit sector ranging from on-site practitioner to executive director. He was an advocate for the disenfranchised and underprivileged. Roland was also employed in the banking industry for 12 years. In his last position as First Vice President with Bank One, he managed programs that addressed the mandates of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in as many as 15 states. A recipient of numerous awards and certificates, Roland served in leadership roles with two organizations that were dear to his heart; he was Board President of both NCALL Research and The Delaware Federation of Housing Counselors. Often he was called upon to speak on the subject of affordable housing and community/economic development. He was selected as one of ten candidates from a national pool of 1600 to participate as a National Rural Fellow, which allowed him to earn his Master's Degree in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts. Roland proudly earned his master's degree without ever having earned an undergraduate degree. Roland's passions were photography, riding motorcycles with William Henry High School "Rams" Riders Motorcycle Club, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In addition to his parents, Roland was preceded in death by his brother, Cedric Ridgeway (1996); and his sister, Rolanda Thomas (1999). He is survived by two sons, Roland Ridgeway III and Quentin Ridgeway; two daughters-in-law, Andrea Ridgeway and Farola Ridgeway; three grandchildren, Roland Ridgeway IV, Raegan Ridgeway, and Kai Ridgeway; three brothers, Robert Ridgeway, Arthur Pennewell and William Pennewell; a sister, Valerie Payton; mother of his sons, Eunice Ridgeway; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and other family and friends. Viewing being held on Thursday, June 14, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 717 West Division St. Dover, De. Funeral services will held on Friday, June 15, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Crossroad Christian Church, 4867 N. Dupont Hwy. Dover, De. where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Sharon Hill Memorial Cemetery, Dover, De. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook may be signed at www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, De.