I received this wonderful letter from Ryan Hurst:
Dave,
I'm sitting here late Thursday and can't sleep a wink for your Dad is all I can think about. I was hoping I would be able to catch a plane to Salt Lake tomorrow for his funeral, but it is looking doubtful that I will be able to make that happen. I didn't want another day to go by without sending my love and some thoughts to your family.
I am so sorry that Roland has passed away. I know you are all feeling an overwhelming sadness at this difficult time. I too have been feeling a heavy sadness. I love your Dad very much. I hope the words of love that you are receiving from the many, many people he has touched will bring you comfort. His life was filled with daily acts of service and expressions of thoughtful kindness towards so many people. I have never seen true Charity in action in anyone else quite like I have seen in your Dads actions.
I know he got so much satisfaction out of lifting others. I remember when I was a new blazer scout, he called me down to the house and opened up the closet and found me a scout shirt that would fit. I was so nervous entering into this new phase of my life and he perceived that. He took me under his wing and put me on the right path in scouting and becoming a young man. I remember when he would present rank advancements, merit badges, and other awards at the court of honor. He did so in such a way that he let me know how proud he was. I'll never forget the sincere look he would give when recognizing achievement in scouting. I remember loading into the Trump family van with all the other scouts. He would make us laugh all the time. He had so much fun with us. I remember when he would gas the van a little and roll ahead 10 feet so we couldn't get in. When we walked forward he'd stick it in reverse and back it up. It was a ritual that he would do one stop after the other as he picked us up at our homes and we would all laugh at each other. We had so much fun - we loved him so much. Among his favorite places to take us were Nelson's Frozen Custard and Hires Big H. When I became a deacon I was so disappointed to be leaving his leadership.
In the same spirit of lifting others, he was so perceptive to the quiet sufferer's needs. I remember when I worked at Dick's Ace alongside Catherine and my sister. My sister was going through a particularly tough time during that teenage phase of her life. She was working the cash register one day when he walked in with some special gift that he gave to her along with a note. I don't remember what it was that he gave her but I remember he talked with her there for several minutes, made her laugh, gave her a hug, brightened her day and went on his way. I watched this unfold from across the store and when I asked my sister about it, she told me how happy he made her feel about herself. I remember being so thankful to him and having the impression that I had just witnessed a wonderful, thoughtful act.
Dave, I feel so thankful that I got to spend so much time with your dad during my pre and post-mission years at Trump Construction. What hard work but what a great reward! I remember the first day I ever worked for him, I met him at the Forsbergs home next to CJH after school. My first job was hanging Sheetrock. With him at one end of a 10 foot sheet, and I at the other, he held his end up with one arm, while nailing the Sheetrock in with the other. All I could do was try to keep my end from crashing to the ground with both hands, my head, and my shoulder. He was such a physically strong man, and that impressed me every day I spent with him. His attention to detail was remarkable. I have always felt that his clients received the best construction that money could buy. He could see 1/16th of an inch from 10 feet away and the job was always done better than right! As Daryl said, he was such an honest businessman and clients often got much more than he bid them. I witnessed that firsthand. But really, what I will cherish the most are the conversations we would have while on the job and while driving between jobs. He coached me through my most impressionable years. We talked about Church, family, career. I remember how proud he was of Adam when he returned from his mission. How much he fell in love with Tiffany at first sight and knew she was the one for Adam. I remember how proud he was of you when you returned home from your mission and how he glowingly spoke of your spiritual maturity and testimony. We spoke about each of the Trump kids often and he was such the loving father. I knew how much he loved Suzie by the way he tenderly spoke of her. I remember how he would say, "Suzie always says that those who work for me deserve a medal" truthfully acknowledging that his line of work was physically demanding. But as Daryl and Roger have already expressed, those of us who had that privilege received so much more than a medal from him.
I will remember Roland for the remaining days of my life and his influence will always be a contributor to anything good I may do here upon the earth. I know that you all will be with your dad again after you depart this life. What a glorious day that will be! I too look forward to embracing him again and thanking him for the influential life he lived. I love your family deeply and pray for peace and comfort to be with you. I pray the same for all of us who likewise are suffering.
With love and gratitude,
Ryan Hurst
