Roland Richbourg, Jr.

With heavy hearts and abiding affection, we remember the life of John “Roland” Richbourg, Jr., who passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026. Born in Bamberg, South Carolina, on October 7, 1938, Roland’s life journey was marked by gentleness, quiet strength, and a steadfast devotion to those he cherished.

Roland spent his youth in Danville, VA, and then moved with his family to Clemson, SC, where he graduated high school. He attended Clemson University, graduating in 1962, with a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering. A member of the Army ROTC at Clemson, he began his service with the US Army in 1962 as a 2 nd Lieutenant serving as a Protocol Officer. He was stationed at Fort Bragg and received his honorable discharge in 1964.

His professional career began with Owens-Illinois Glass Company in Toledo, Ohio. He initially worked as a ceramic engineer and then soon transferred to Corporate Planning and Acquisitions where he spent 35 years. He completed his career at Harbor Capital in Toledo as a fund manager, retiring in 2005. After retirement, he and his wife, Susan, moved to Canton, Georgia, to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Roland’s passing leaves a sense of loss that is felt deeply by his surviving family including Susan, his wife of 60 years, his son Michael (Elizabeth) Richbourg of Atlanta, his daughter Wendy (Steve) Kunkel of Canton, his grandchildren Mitchell and Kinsey Kunkel, and his sister Donna McGarity of Clemson, SC.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Birmingham United Methodist Church, 15770 Birmingham Hwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004, with a reception following. Interment will take place at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia, on September 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

The family requests that donations be made in his name to Birmingham United Methodist Church, where he attended regularly for 20 years, or Tunnel to Towers, T2T.com.