City Faces in Different Places
By Julie Perine on February 02, 2020 from City Faces
This Bridgeport High School graduate is an amateur astronomer, inventor and is authoring his first book. Meet Joff Rolland:
How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.
Although I was born in Pittsburgh, the first time I recognized daylight I was living in Bridgeport in the house I live in now. I’ve also lived in Clarksburg and Anmoore and briefly in Kokomo, Indiana; but I’ve always considered Bridgeport my home.
Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family.
I married Robin Ray in April of 1981. We have two daughters - Brittany Snider and Sarah VanKirk. We also have four grandchildren - Cameron, Ezra, Connor, and Kayleah.
What about pets?
I have personally kept two dogs - a border collie and a Doberman, although our family has had numerous other pets like cats and dogs. I’ve also kept a crow, two white ducks, tropical fish, guinea pigs, and more snakes and such than I can easily count. My girls used to almost fight over which of them was first to hold the snakes when I’d bring one home. I taught them to respect animals like snakes but not to fear them.
Where do you work and what do you do there?
Before I became disabled from cancer and chemo, I worked at MSES Consultants, Inc. in their laboratory. I was engaged in various phases of electronics development and materials and chemical testing involved in gas pipelines corrosion prevention.
What are your hobbies/favorite past times?
I’ve always enjoyed amateur astronomy. I’ve also been an amateur radio (ham) operator for more than 20 years and a musician for more than 40. Currently, I dabble in making chainmaille-both jewelry and (non combat grade) armor and such. In the past, I’ve also participated in SCUBA diving and rock climbing.
Favorite Bridgeport spot?
That’s a tough question for me. I love being out in nature and Bridgeport is so close to all that I think it’s spoiled me! I have a picture of a 12 point buck crossing my back yard. I guess overall, my favorite place is right here at home.
What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live?
To me, Bridgeport is just about the perfect combination of quiet and accessible. The neighbors are great. There is enough to do without sensory overload, and if you want the urban or outdoorsy things, they’re all within a 1 1/2 hour drive. It’s a perfect launch pad!
One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ...
Wow - another tough one. Learning to swim or fish or playing golf with my dad. Going 4-wheeling the old school way in a pickup truck. Shooting clays at A Mountain Clays. Riding horses on the land that’s now the Meadowbrook Mall.
What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport?
There are two. Harmon Family Campground and Seneca Rocks.
How about your favorite place outside of WV?
Definitely Daytona Beach!
What are some of your favorite things? Food/restaurant? Favorite color? Music genre/artist?
Some of my favorite things. Hmmmmm. Well my overall favorite food is pizza although I’m not a bit picky. I detest olives. Beyond that, I’m pretty much game for anything - or have been. (Due to all the neck surgeries I’ve had, my throat is partially paralyzed so I have to “eat” through a tube that’s surgically placed directly into my stomach. Pizza is now more of a fond memory.)
I have two favorite colors: a shade of red that I first saw on a Ford Taurus several years ago and royal blue.
My tastes in music are fairly eclectic, running most of the gamut from some classical through classic rock and roll although I spend most of my music time enjoying contemporary Christian now. When I can, I play guitar in the worship team from Covenant Church in Fairmont - “Judah”.
What is your best childhood memory?
My best childhood memory or memories all involved playing with my sister, Barbara -whether it was playing jacks on the kitchen floor or - farther back - riding our hobby horses and listening to music together when we were very young.
Interesting fact about you and/or something you would like to add…
I’m a bit of an inventor although I only have my name on one patent so far - a circuit board embodiment of the “Contrawound Toroidal Helical Antenna”. The original antenna was invented at WVU. I just put it on a circuit board.
Also, I’m writing a book about my experiences with cancer and treatment as I’ve seen it. If anybody would like to follow, look up “Joff Rolland Journey” on Facebook.
