The following letter was released today by Luther Seminary:
Dr. Roland Martinson
Dear President Foss,
I write to inform you of my decision to retire June 30, 2013.
While many personal and professional considerations surround my retiring at the end of this academic
year, the timing of the decision is primarily informed by my commitment to joining others of my senior
colleagues in making a contribution to timely faculty reduction, my sense that by this summer a new
phase in Luther Seminary’s renewal will call for a different skill set than mine and the heaviness of mind
and heart that have accrued over the past year and half as I’ve carried the responsibilities of the dean’s
office.
As I make this decision, I am confident that the good work of the faculty, the good work of Luther
Seminary’s associate deans, the good work of the staff and your own good work, will lead the seminary
into a faithful and effective future.
I have greatly enjoyed my 36 years at Luther Seminary, including the years as academic dean, and look
forward to serving the seminary during the upcoming important four months.
In Christ,
Roland Martinson
Network is a Verb 
We love you Rollie!
Rollie was a Concordia College student when I was a rug rat at Dilworth Lutheran Church. When I headed off to Luther, my Dad told me to look Rollie up. He said Rollie used to bounce me on his knee. This is what I wrote in the first paragraph of my DMIN dissertation:
“First, I’d like to thank my old seminary professor and role model, Dr. Roland Martinson, for his brilliant advice. Twenty years ago when I asked Rollie if I should pursue a doctorate, he told me, “Naw. Go get your education first.”
Good on ya, Rollie. – Rich Melheim
May God bless you as you begin a new adventure in your life. Thank you for all you have done for others, we have learned from the best!
I just read this, a few years late, but wish Rollie the best in retirement. I first met him in about 1967 / 68 when he was Youth Director at Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield, MN. Memories of our youth group never fade! It was many years later, around 1991 or so when my son was 13 and in 7th grade confirmation at Calvary Lutheran in Golden Valley. Rollie came in to speak to the parents one evening and after the meeting I waited in line to talk with him, when I extended my hand to shake his he looked at me rather questioningly and then after a few moments, called me by name! Remarkable! Thank you, Rollie, for all you did for our youth group, for the memories and for instilling the love of Christ in me when I was a teen! God bless you and your family!