Dr. Roland J. Erwin Jr.

Dr. Roland J. Erwin Jr., 67, of University City, MO, born Monday, November 1, 1954, in Belleville, IL, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2022, at U-City Forest Manor in University City, MO.

Dr. Erwin was an accomplished research psychologist and college professor for 30 years, and held positions at UMSL, University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in Washington DC, and UCLA. Roland earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Psychology at SIUE and his Ph.D. from SIUC; he performed his postdoctoral work at UCLA.

Roland was a unique, kind-hearted, free spirit with a life-long passion for the arts, especially music. He often immersed himself into the organization and support of music festivals, performances, and concerts ranging from the Mississippi River Festival (MRF) at SIUE in 1970s & 80’s to the Rites of Spring Festival (RoSFest) an annual progressive rock music celebration in 2000s & 10’s. He made many friends in academia and the music community along the way.

He was preceded in death by his:

• Father, Roland J. Erwin
• Brother, Joseph L. Erwin

Surviving are his:

• Mother, Patricia C., nee Hoff, Erwin of Belleville, IL
• Brothers:
  • Charles Erwin of Hot Springs, SD
  • Stephen (Pamela) Erwin of Millstadt, IL
  • James Erwin of Belleville, IL
  • Michael (Alice Ulch) Erwin of Fairview Heights, IL
  • Joel (Mary Kreher) Erwin of Belleville, IL
• Sisters:
  • Pamela (Rick) Inskeep of Hesperia, CA
  • Christine Redden of Belleville, IL
  • Beth (Ron Zeiss) McCauley of Leon, IA
• Dear aunt and uncle, and many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Belleville, IL, or St. Patrick’s Center for the Homeless in St. Louis, MO.

A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.