Noted bowler, motel owner Roles dies

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 | 8:20 a.m.

Ralph Roles, a member of the Southern Nevada Bowling Hall of Fame and former owner of the Rummel Motel, died Saturday at his home in Henderson after struggling with Alzheimer's disease for two years. He was 82.

The 50-year resident was one of the first inductees into the hall of fame in 1983 for his dedication in forming the Southern Nevada Bowlers' Association. Roles sponsored a bowling league with Showboat Lanes owner Frank Mirabelli. The duo's team won several city championships and one national championship in the annual ABC Bowling Tournament between 1955 and 1975. Roles' highest score in a game was 279, his wife Treva said.

Golf was Roles' other great love, she said, as he played well into his 70s and even began a golfing club known as "Ralph's Bandits" at the Black Mountain Country Club.

The couple met at Twin Lakes Pool, now Lorenzi Park, in May 1952 and were married that August at the Little Church of the West. Roles, born and raised in Wichita, Kan., moved to Las Vegas in 1951.

Roles dropped out of high school to join the Marines in 1938, when he was 17. The World War II veteran fought in Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and other South Pacific locations through 1944.

He worked as a fireman briefly in Las Vegas before operating the Fair Price Motel and then the Del Mar. He and his wife purchased the Rummel Motel in 1958 and ran it until their retirement 20 years later.

Roles' three sons and eight grandchildren were his greatest joys, his wife said.

"He was extremely proud of his son's accomplishments -- all becoming chiropractors," Treva Roles said.

Roles is survived by his wife, sons Ralph Roles of Charleston, S.C.; Craig Roles of Henderson; Jim Roles of Redding, Calif; and eight grandchildren.

Services for Roles will take place at Central Christian Church Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens.

Visitation was scheduled from noon to 8 p.m. today at Palm Mortuary at 7600 S. Eastern Ave. and one hour before services at the church.