Rolando Luis Barrientos, 63, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on September 14^th, 2019. His last moments were surrounded by his loving and supportive family and friends.

Rolando was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia on June 15^th, 1956. A short time later his father, Julian Barrientos, became an engineer in the United States. This opened a route all the way north to Wisconsin for his wife Betty and her two children.

Rolando had the privilege of visiting Bolivia twice, when he was 11 and 13 years old. Thanks to his share of backgrounds, he grew up bilingual, which would help him with his teaching skills in the distant future.

His love of reptiles started young, keeping them safe in his pocket, much to the surprise of his mother. Unbeknownst to himself he even strategically handled a viper while in Bolivia.

Since his theme song for his character Hasem Hasem, Rolando knew at age 15 that his gift was to be a musician. So he practiced his favorite songs, such as “Smoke On The Water”, over and over again, much to the patience of his family. His practice paid off, as he played in bands, receptions, and special occasions, even his friend’s wedding. Yes, music was his life.

Rolando attended Edge Wood and Madison West High School, graduating in 1974.  He went on to college at UW Madison for three years.

He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on October 1^st, 1978.

It was during a Witness gathering that he met his lifelong partner, Eydie. Rolando never forgot what Eydie wore the day they met: those sparkling earrings, a dress with tiny little flowers and a dark blue blazer. They would talk on the phone for hours about music and art and their faith. Eydie actually started a painting representing the Bolivian culture long before she met him. She said it was the music that made her fall in love with the culture. She also shared his love for reptiles, being particularly skilled at handling snakes. From then on there was love in the air. Eydie thought it romantic to spend their future anniversaries together during the fireplace season. So they married during an unforgettable snowstorm on November 24^th, 1984.

He supported his family of three children as a human resource director under his father. Some years later, he studied hard to become a self employed Spanish teacher. He taught everyone, from lawyers and doctors, to children.

Rolando shared his faith with his children, expressing that knowing Jehovah God and doing his will should be the most important part of their life. He breathed life into whatever he read, be it the Bible itself, or My Book of Bible Stories.

He could even pull his own stories out of thin air, ones as fun as balloons themselves. To him, the world was full of loony toons, and his children loved it. Anybody became a somebody, everybody had a silent voice to pick up on. He’d voice it, with a laugh to match it, sometimes, much to the patience of his family. His practice paid off, as he should have been a voice actor.

His own life stories were no less short as entertaining. Eydie told him that he should write a children’s book based solely on his childhood antics! Never written down, he’d always share them with his family.

A family has lost a husband and a father. To others a brother, an uncle, and a nephew. To the city of Madison, one of its best Spanish teachers.

Rolando could not have been in better company, with his wife thoughts on his composition “Thoughts While Waiting”, as he breathed his last. During those pivotal final days his supportive wife reassured him of his Bible-based hope, that when he falls into a long, deep sleep in death, he will wake up again as if no time went by at all. -Acts 24:15; Psalms 37:29, 34

Rolando is survived by his wife Eydie; his three children: Andrea (Kevin) Rice, Elliot Barrientos, and Amanda Barrientos; His three siblings: Lolita (Ben) Marquez, Norman (Lisa) Barrientos, and Rosemary (Enzo) Irigoyen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Betty.

Memorial Service held on Saturday, September 28^th, 2019

Where:

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses

5475 Portage Rd

Madison, WI 53704

Visitation: 5:00 pm

Memorial talk: 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm

Song 151 He Will Call (Out of the songbook: Sing Out Joyfully to Jehovah)

Refreshments after