Roland Rickenbach

Of Butternut Township

 Roland passed away peacefully at home after 4-1/2 years of suffering.  Born in Zurich, Switzerland on the 6^th of December, 1935 on the feast of St. Nicholas, his patron Saint.  He entered Culinary Apprenticeship at the age of 15 at the Hotel Glockenof in Zurich continued to Hotel School at Belevoir Park and his first job at Hotel De Rhone in Geneva.  After serving in the Swiss Army, first in the bicycle troop and then in the kitchen he worked in the Grosvenor House Hotel in London before sailing with the P/O Lines as Assistant Chief around Africa to Australia, Scandinavian countries, Istanbul, Beirut, the entire Mediterranean, learning all new dishes.  The Hilton Hotel in Madrid Spain was his sponsor to the Caribe Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Next, on to Cuba and cooked for Fidel Castro.  He left the Aruba Caribbean to run his own hotel in Panama and his dream came true – he came to the U.S.A. and became chef and was one of the top 10 chefs in NYC.  Enough of the city, he bought his own hotel in Sparta, NJ; that was the 2^nd part of his goal.  He then found the perfect spot in Butternut Township and sold the hotel and moved here – 40  years ago; the 3^rd goal of his life.  During this time he and his wife, Dolores, raised Herford cattle along with many other animals. He then worked as chef for 2 Holiday Inn’s and bought the Rockdale Hotel.  This was a fun place as compared to previous places he owned.   He is survived by his wife, Dolores, 2 children and their spouses , Paul Huggins and Sue Boyett , Audrey & Bill Valko and 6 grandchildren from New Jersey, Texas and Florida and also 2 great grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church in Gilberstville.  On-line Condolences may be made at:  www.wmaddenfh.com.  Arrangements by the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home 123 Main Street Unadilla.

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