Tribute to Rollie Lake (1924-2004)
  CA President 1984-1991

	
BY MILT SMEDSRUD
CA FOUNDER

Rollie Lake became involved with CA in 1982 as an advisor about farmers
and ranchers financial needs that began existing in the early '80s. This
is remembered as the 1980s farm crisis.

In 1984, Rollie was elected as the president of CA and to the board of
directors. At the same time, with Rollie's input, the board of directors
approved the CA Modified Debt Recovery Program. This program would allow
farmers and ranchers a restructuring of their debt, with government
cooperation. Congress took a very serious interest in the CA Modified
Debt Recovery Program, with Minnesota Rep. Arlan Stangeland leading the
support, along with many other farm-belt legislators.

Rollie made many trips to Washington, D.C., testifying before Congress,
numerous meetings with Bank of Co-ops, Federal Land Banks, and drew on
his longtime friends and connections that he had built during his many
years in banking, focusing mainly on agriculture lending.

Obviously, the media was very much in touch with the farm crisis problem
and Rollie was sought out often in D.C., as well as in the Midwest. The
one line that really stuck was an interview in D.C. when Rollie was
asked about the support from a Minnesota senator who had not attended
the Senate hearing when Rollie testified. Rollie inquired why the senator
was not present and was told, "the senator is in Florida."  Rollie shot
from the hip and said, "The Minnesota senator is more interested in the
Sun Belt than the Farm Belt?" That statement made news for Rollie and CA,
and it turned out super positive.

The CA Modified Debt Recovery Program finally began taking place with
the farm credit lenders and many farms and ranches were able to continue
in their chosen field of agriculture.

Rollie's early days were not an easy road. His dedicated service to the
U.S. Air Force in World War II, his experience during that time was of
great interest when you could get him to talk about it. After the war
he went on to become an agriculture teacher to many WWII veterans who
would go back to farming under the G.I. Bill.

Rollie fits into Tom Brokaw's book, /"The Greatest Generation."/

IN MEMORY

Rollie Lake was born April 30, 1924, in Grenora, N.D. The family later
moved to Minnesota. He enlisted in the Air Corp in1942 and served during
WWII as a 1st Lieutenant in the 8th Army Air Force in the European
Theatre, flying several bombing missions as a B-24 pilot. He survived
two missions where his planes were shot down in action.

In 1964, he joined the staff at First National Bank in Fergus Falls,
where he headed the ag department and served as vice president. Retiring
after 20 years, he joined Communicating for Agriculture.

He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.