Business and philanthropic leader, 91, dies

SARASOTA — Retired Lt. Gen. Rolland Heiser was never big on free time.

In addition to serving as president of the New College Foundation for nearly 24 years, the 32-year military veteran was a member of the Florida Board of Governors; member and director of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival; director of the Sarasota County Committee for Economic Development; director of Sarasota French Film Festival; and director of Florida Winefest and Auction — just to name a few, according to the Sarasota Observer, sister paper of the Business Observer.

“He was involved in a lot of startups and different charities,” his daughter, Charlene Wolff, says. “If he took on a project, he believed strongly not only in the project but in making things come to fruition. He was just a man of great integrity and honor and fairness.”

Heiser died June 16. He was 91.

Heiser moved to Sarasota in 1978, and from June 11, 1979 to April 25, 2003, he was president of the New College Foundation. During his tenure, he helped raise the school's assets from $1.9 million to more than $32 million and establish an endowment of more than $30 million. He also played a major role in the effort to make the college an independent institution.

“He was a legend in the history of New College,” says MaryAnne Young, executive director of the college's foundation. “He built the endowment from scratch to ensure the future of New College.”

After his retirement, Heiser remained on the foundation's board and was a trustee emeritus at the time of his death.

Heiser is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gwenne Heiser, two daughters, three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, his sister and his brother- and sister-in-law. Memorial contributions may be made to the New College of Foundation.