Judge Herbert L. Rollins

Judge Herbert L. Rollins died Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

Judge Rollins was born November 15, 1928 in Frederick County at Bell's Mill, (near Brunswick), the son of the late Lester Alfred and Irene Mann Rollins.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Thomas Rollins. They were married on June 18, 1955. He is also survived by his son, Thomas Christian Rollins and his wife Beth and his three granddaughters, Meghan Elizabeth, Anne Elizabeth and Grace Anne, all of New Jersey; and his daughter, Anne-Herbert Rollins, a local attorney.

Also surviving are brothers Donald Lee Rollins and wife Marlene; and James Alfred Rollins and wife Glenda, all of Frederick, together with ten nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Ruby Kathleen Huffer and her husband, Robert Huffer.

Judge Rollins attended the public schools of Frederick County. He studied business law and management at the University of Baltimore. He graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1956 with a bachelors degree, and the University of Maryland School of Law in 1959 with a doctor of laws degree. He began the practice law in Frederick in late 1959 and was a member of several partnership arrangements for twenty five years before being appointed to the trial bench. Of his five former law partners two were appointed to the Circuit Court for Frederick County, namely Judge William W. Wenner and Judge John H. Tisdale. His other three partners were Charles McC. Mathias, U.S. Senator Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., and Charles Urner Price. Judge Wenner also served on the District Court and the Court of Special Appeals. He was very proud of his former partners' accomplishments.

Judge Rollins served on the board of directors of the Childrens Aid Society and the Housing Authority of The City of Frederick. He was attorney and member of the board of directors of the Myersville Bank for twenty-five years. He also served as attorney for the Town of Myersville, the Town of Brunswick and the City of Frederick.

Judge Rollins was appointed to the District Court of Maryland in 1985 by Governor Harry Hughes, and to the Circuit Court of Frederick County in 1991 by Governor William Donald Schaefer. He retired from the Circuit Court in 1998 and continued to sit on both courts on recall status until December 20, 2007.

He was a member and served a term as president of the Frederick County Bar Association; a member and served on the Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association; and a member and trustee of the Maryland Institute for the Continuing Legal Education of Lawyers. He was also a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation.

During the Korean War he served as an enlisted man with the 8th U.S. Army Headquarters Korea in Taegue and Seoul from early 1952 to early 1953. He prepared a number of maps and charts for the briefing of President-elect Eisenhower when he visited Korea in late 1952. He was a life member of the local Korean War Veterans Association, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Judge Rollins enjoyed hunting and fishing and shooting sports, and was a member of several conservation clubs. He will be remembered by his many companions and friends for the strong personal bonds they established over the years. He also enjoyed woodworking, restoring antiques and gardening. He was a lover of music, and was one of the original members of the Frederick Chorale. He fondly recalled performing with the Chorale at the National Cathedral.

He was always interested in government and politics, especially constitutional law, and was an avid reader of history and biography. In the early 1960's he was instrumental in reviving the Young Republicans Club of Frederick County.

Judge Rollins was a lifelong member of Calvary United Methodist Church, and served terms as Chairman of the Administrative Board and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Visitation: The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 22nd from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick.

Services: A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 23rd at 11:00 AM at Calvary United Methodist Church, Second & Bentz Street in Frederick with Rev. Kenneth R. Dunnington and Rev. Anjel Scarborough officiating.

Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Frederick Memorial Hospital Cancer Center at 501 West Seventh Street, Frederick, MD 21701 or to the charity of one's choice.