Roland Franklin Chase, 92, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away on July 23, 2026.

Born in Newport on June 10, 1934, Roland was the son of John Franklin Chase, Jr., and Hope Levens Chase, who owned and operated the Tilley Avenue Greenhouses (later renamed Chase's Greenhouses when his brother, Lawrence Chase, ran the business).

The oldest of five children, Roland graduated from Rogers High School, Wheaton College, and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall).

Following law school, Roland served as a JAG officer in the United States Navy. In 1962 he married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Heggen, beginning a marriage that would span more than six decades.

After his military service, the couple lived in Germany for two years while Roland worked with Young Life, a Christian youth organization that remained close to his heart throughout his life. They then moved to Rochester, New York, where Roland worked several years for a legal publishing house.

Returning to Newport in the early 1970s, Roland opened the Good News Family Bookstore at the corner of Ayrault and Broadway. During that same period, he taught law to undergraduate students at Roger Williams University. He also practiced law with Miller Scott & Holbrook, authored numerous legal publications, served on the Newport Zoning Board, volunteered with the Christian Action Center, and was active in both the United Baptist Church and the First Presbyterian Church, serving on the missions committee and teaching Sunday School for many years.

Outside of his professional life and Christian service, Roland loved recreation and friendly competition. He was an enthusiastic handball and basketball player who remained active well into his seventies and eighties. He also loved to play games, particularly word games, and was, in fact, the Bananagrams winner on his final evening.

Roland had a lifelong passion for reading, finishing multiple books a week even in his final years and participating in the weekly Shakespeare Reading Group held at Redwood Library.

Above all, Roland was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Ann Chase; his children, John Franklin Chase of Pleasanton, California; Susan Lynn Chase of Oakland, California; Amy Jean Chase of Madison, New Jersey; and Maria Chase Davey of Dedham, Massachusetts; along with grandchildren Kate, Sam, Bethany, Andrew, Anna, Ben, Jane, Kynan and Larken, great-grandson, Micah, nephew David Chase of Newport, nieces Kristin Henderson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Jennifer Chase of Newport, and the many extended family members and friends whose lives he touched through his faith, his work, his service, and his generosity.

A memorial service celebrating Roland's life will be held on August 20 at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church, Newport, Rhode Island.