Roland Sargent

Asheville - Roland L. Sargent, age 94, of Givens Estates United Methodist Retirement Community passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at Mission Hospital Asheville.
Born in York, Maine, Mr. Sargent grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He moved to the Asheville area from Needham, Mass. in 1971. Mr. Sargent was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Business, class of 1941. During World War II he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Aircorps as a B-17 bomber pilot in the 92nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force England. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal, an American Campaign Medal, a European/North African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a Prisoner of War Medal for the 20 months he spent as a P.O.W, and a World War II Victory Medal. Following completion of 10 successful air missions, he used his parachute to save his life as he bailed out of his B-17 after being shot down over Belgium. He was liberated by General George Patton in 1945, promoted to Major, and received an Honorable Discharge in 1946. Following the war, he worked as a Fire Insurance Appraiser for Factory Mutual Global Insurance Company for over 30 years.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 59 years, Doris Badger Sargent. He is survived by his second wife of 11 years, Betty Lancaster Meeker Sargent, his daughter Nancy Mertz and husband Tom of Dexter, MI, his son Peter Sargent and wife Cathy of Chapel Hill, NC, his step-daughter Patrice Masters and husband Michael of Clyde, NC, 4 grandchildren, Kimberly Elizabeth Mertz of Ann Arbor, MI, Kristin Marie Mertz of Ypsilanti, MI, Christopher Sargent and wife Carmen of Gold Hill, NC, and Robert Sargent of Raleigh NC, and 1 great-grandchild, Hannah Sargent.
Roland loved the ocean and nature and was an avid birdwatcher. He helped organize the Needham Bird Club, which was associated with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He was also a founding member of the Blue Ridge Bird Club, which preceded the present chapter of the National Audubon Society in Asheville. Roland was also an active bird bander in both Needham and Asheville.
A memorial service for Roland will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013, at 12:00 at the Givens Estates Chapel. There will be a private family burial with military honors before the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Roland L. Sargent to the Givens Estates Resident Assistance Ministry, 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
Moore Funeral Home at Forest Lawn Cemetary, Candler, will be handling the arrangements.