Donald R. Rollins, MD

Donald Robert Rollins, MD passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at his home in Bozeman, Montana. He was born on April 17, 1947, to Gordon Seymour Rollins and Elsie (Peterson) Rollins in Mitchell, South Dakota where his father served as the Vice President of Finance of Dakota Wesleyan University. In his youth, Don was involved in music, was Lt. Governor at Boys’ State, and received a National Science Foundation Research Grant to the University of Iowa.

Don graduated Cum Laude in chemistry from St. Olaf University, in Northfield, Minnesota, received a B.S. in Medicine from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, and obtained his medical degree with Honors from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. 

He interned in medicine at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center Bexar County Hospital in San Antonio followed by his Residency and Chief Residency, in the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Sciences, San Antonio, and became a Fellow in Pulmonary Disease at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio. 

Academically, he served as a Clinical Instructor in Medicine, Department of Pulmonology at the University of Colorado School Medicine, an Assistant Clinical Professor, and an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Pulmonary Disease, eventually retiring as a Full Professor. At National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, he served as a Full Professor of Medicine.

            Don’s professional positions included, Medical Director of the North Colorado Trans-Tracheal Oxygen Center; the Respiratory Community Services, Lutheran Health; Greenbrier Clinic, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, as well as POD-1 Medical Director, Co-Director of the Ethics Committee, and Co-Medical Director, MIDC at National Jewish Health in Denver.

            Select honors, awards and professional affiliations were a Ford Foundation Grant, a Fellowship in the American College of Physicians, an Elected Fellow of American College of Chest Physicians, Clinician of the Year in the Department of Medicine at National Jewish Health, as well as a Fellow, American College of Physicians, a Member of the American Thoracic Society, and a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.

As a highly respected member of the medical community, he published 22 peer-reviewed articles, was invited to present papers and lectures in the United States and internationally. Always willing to share and help others, Dr. Rollins was still a licensed physician in Colorado and Montana at the time of his passing. Reviews by his former patients mention his “responsiveness to their concerns,’ the time he spent with them, and his “friendliness and caring attitude” (US News and World Report). 

            Don lived his life with humor, joy, and caring for others. He enjoyed international travel, Bible study, flyfishing in North and South America, golfing, skiing, as well as performing and composing music. He and his wife Kris traveled internationally spending time hiking, exploring museums, cultural history, and cuisine. He delighted in cooking new recipes discovered on their travels. Don was a talented musician and performed in groups from his youth to his passing. He began by playing drums in high school, but branched out during his lifetime to include guitar, contrabass, and piano. Some of the groups in which he performed were Malpractice, Powerhouse Blues Band, The West Virginia Jazz Orchestra, and EMR (Electronic Medical Records) in Denver. Most recently he played for Sunday services at St. James Episcopal Church in Bozeman where he also served on the Vestry. 

            Don is survived by his wife Kris, his children, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. His parents Gordon and Elsie, as well as his brother Norman, and his sister Barbara predeceased him.

            Donations in memory of Dr. Donald R. Rollins may be made to:

The Gordon and Elsie Rollins Family Scholarship, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, South Dakota online at DWU.edu. or to 1200 W. University Ave, Mitchell, South Dakota, 57301.