Roland J. Tapper Jr. died at age 89 on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in Fairbanks, Alaska.

He was born June 7, 1934 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Roland and Verna (Gray) Tapper.

Roland was inducted in the United States Army in 1953. He later became a field artillery operations and intelligence specialist, serving 18 months in Korea and attaining the rank of corporal. Prior to moving to Fairbanks in 1976, Roland was the secretary-treasurer of Calumet Federal Savings and Loan Association in Hammond, Indiana, where he resided. He accepted a position with Arctic First Federal Savings and Loan Association serving as treasurer and director of Accounting in Fairbanks, Alaska. Roland married the love of his life, Joyce, in 1981 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was employed by Nerco Minerals Company, Frontier Savings and Loan Association, and the University of Alaska, retiring from the Museum of the North in 2004. Roland enjoyed reading, his home, his camper, and taking correspondence courses. He loved his dogs and liked taking drives. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and First Presbyterian Church. Roland was active in The Hammond Central Lions Club, INC., and attended a Lions Club in Fairbanks.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roland Tapper Sr. and Verna Tapper, and sister, Emma Louise Sternitzky.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Joyce Tapper of Fairbanks, Alaska, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Thursday, December 7, 2023 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI, with interment in the Lakeview Cemetery in Chetek, WI. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals.

Last Update: Nov 27, 2023 11:21 am CST