Michael Mcdermott

Michael “Rollo” McDermott, known to many as an adventurous soul and world traveler, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2023, at Southern California Hospital in Culver City, Ca, from heart complications at the age of 75.

UPDATE!

Due to the Moline Boys Basketball State Game, Rollo's memorial service has been changed from Friday, March 10th to Saturday, March 11th, at 4 PM CST.

A memorial service will be held at 4 PM CST, Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Wendt Funeral Home, Moline. The service will also be live-streamed and can be viewed on his obituary page at wendtfuneralhome.com.

Rollo was born on May 1, 1947, to Jack “JP” and Margaret McDermott in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When he was nine, the family moved to Moline, Il. After graduating from Moline High School, he was accepted and attended the Santa Monica Art institute in California and the University of Arizona. He was the first manager of “Little King,” now known as Hungry Hobo. He and his friend Mike Orendorff traveled through Mexico and Central America, spending over a year in South America trekking up and down the Amazon River before returning to the Quad Cities to open Fairmont Gallery in Moline, a business specializing in antiques and oriental rugs for eight years. He then traveled to India, Turkey, Egypt, and Europe. As a talented graphic artist and fluent in Spanish, Rollo decided to move to Mexico for 25 years. In 2010 he moved back to the states to be closer to family and friends.

Rollo was brilliant and enjoyed studying different cultures, art, history, and geography. He had a beautiful voice, auditioned for, and advanced to the top 10 on “Mucho Talento” in Los Angeles. He had the best sense of humor. He would always make people laugh, no matter where he was or what he was doing. He had many friends who would often visit him wherever he was in the world. He was a great tour guide. Rollo lived life to the fullest.

He is survived by his brothers Patrick, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Peter McDermott, Moline; Nephews Sam McDermott and partner Emily Winiker and son River; Catskill, New York; Max and Tricia McDermott and their son sweet baby James. Preceding him in death was his niece, baby Rosie McDermott, father Jack “JP” McDermott, mother Margaret McDermott, and sister-in-law Pam McDermott.

Memories and condolences may be expressed on his Memory Page at wendtfuneralhome.com