March 21, 1959-January 4, 2026
Roland Nedelkovich was a loving and devoted father, as well as an accomplished engineer and loyal friend. His life was defined by curiosity, integrity, and dedication.
Born in Austria to refugees of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, Roland immigrated to New York as a child. A lifelong fascination with space, sparked by nights spent looking through his telescope and watching the Apollo 11 landing, led him to a remarkable career supporting the United States space program, including more than 50 Space Shuttle missions and work on the International Space Station. Throughout his career, he earned the respect of colleagues for his calm leadership, problem-solving ability, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Roland took great pride in being a father. He instilled strong values, curiosity, and independence in his son, Otto, shaping him into the person he has become. He led by example, challenging when needed and supportive always, and believed deeply in teaching through action rather than words.
Beyond his work and family, Roland lived life fully. He loved good German beer, Scotch whisky, great food, and evenings filled with music, conversation, and laughter. A voracious reader, he enjoyed playing music loudly—rock, blues, and classical—and creating memories around the table with friends and family.
Riding motorcycles was one of Roland’s great passions. Over the past decade, riding his Ducati with the Houston Desmo Owners Club (HDOC) became a central part of his life. He treasured the camaraderie, long rides, track days, and friendships formed on the road, and he proudly taught his son how to ride and how to ride fast.
Roland also believed in giving back. When the local ice rink was at risk of closing, he helped purchase and rejuvenate the facility so that children, including his son, would have a place to play hockey and learn to skate.
Even while battling a devastating disease, Roland went to work every day and continued to enjoy the pleasures he found in life, right up until the very end.
Roland passed away on Sunday, January 4, at home, surrounded by loved ones, after a difficult two-year fight with leiomyosarcoma.
He is survived by his son, Otto Cullen Nedelkovich; his sister, Olga DiFrancesco; his father, Otto Antal Nedelkovich; his mother, Katalin Nedelkovich; and his ex-wife, Nuala Cullinane.
Roland’s life was one of purpose, dedication, and love. He will be remembered for the lasting impact he had as a father, a leader, and a friend.
There will be a memorial service held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00A.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home.
15 thoughts on “Roland Mario Nedelkovich”
My condolences to Roland’s family at his passing. While I didn’t get to know Roland when he worked in the SAIL laboratory at JSC during the Space Shuttle Program, our paths crossed a few years later when he became my manager at another company that supported JSC. The work we did and the work environment were both challenging. When I needed his support to address an issue with the company, Roland stepped up in a big way. I’ve never forgotten his willingness to stand up for what was right and I appreciate the concern he demonstrated for me. I don’t think I ever had the opportunity to meet you in person, Otto, but I remember how proud he was of you and where you were going in life – preferably on a Ducati, of course!
“Ride free, my friend“
My heart hurts. We loved Roland very much and I’m so glad we had the privilege of being his neighbor and his friend. He will definitely be missed.
The passing of Mr. Roland, fondly known as Rollie, has hit me like a ton of bricks. I’ve been heartbroken since his son shared the news with me on Sunday. I had the privilege of meeting him in 2019, and in those years, he became so much more than a coworker and mentor, he was a true friend.
Roland made my life as a manager easier and brought so much wisdom and joy to those around him. I loved hearing his motorcycle adventures, stories of growing up in New York, his incredible career, and the lifelong friendships he built along the way. His amazing experiences here at JSC were always inspiring.
He will be remembered and deeply missed by everyone who knew him. Though I only had the privilege of knowing him for six years, I am profoundly grateful for the chance to work with him and learn from him. He absolutely adored his son and was so proud of him.
I will miss his big smile, his sharp New York sense of humor, and our incredible conversations, even the political ones! Roland was truly a warrior. I witnessed his strength as he battled leiomyosarcoma for two years, never allowing the disease to steal his joy for life.
Roland, I will miss you dearly. You taught me so much, and I am fortunate beyond words to have known you. I will carry all those good memories with me. I’m glad you are now at peace and free from suffering.
Godspeed, Rollie.
I spent many times with Roland having great conversations when we worked together at United Space Alliance. He was always so kind, funny and very interesting to chat with. I am so saddened by this news. Rest in Heaven my friend!
Prayers for his family!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I spent many times having wonderful conversations with Roland when we worked together at United Space Alliance. He was always so kind, funny and very interesting to chat with. He will be greatly missed. Rest in heavenly peace my friend. Prayers for the family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Roland “Bud” was a very big part of my life and my family’s life while I was in Clear Lake. His commitment to the community at the Space City Ice Station was far beyond any position he held, and he held a strong bond with so many people in his different orbits. He was a great friend to more people than most of us have the ability to know. Personally, I will always remember many, many nights of Afterburners hockey and Stellas after the games. His efforts at the ice rink also allowed my kids to experience great opportunities that has helped shape their lives.
I will also remember what a great and involved dad he and his wife were for their amazing and thoughtful son, Otto, who I had the privilege of coaching during those high school years. During all of that time, Bud was always there, supporting not just his son but also everyone who had been part of that community. It is clear that Bud was an exceptional part of so many people’s lives and we will always be better for our time we had with him.
I hope for peace and pride for Roland’s family.
Despite his life being cut short by cancer, Roland lived a full and vibrant life. As the father of a remarkable son, Otto, his legacy is one we know well and hold close. Roland’s career supporting the space program, the friendships he built over decades, and his love of cars, motorcycles, good food, wine and conversation reflected a man who engaged fully with the world around him. Although we have lived in Australia for the past 18 years, Roland has always remained present in our family’s memories.
We see Roland most clearly through Otto, whose maturity, steadiness, and deep love for his father speak powerfully to the values Roland passed on as a parent. Watching Otto grow into the thoughtful, kind, capable and accomplished man he is today has been one of the clearest reflections of Roland’s love for his son.
Roland never allowed cancer to define or limit him. Despite countless rounds of treatment, he continued to live each day to the fullest, with determination and an unwavering love of life. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Otto, to Nuala, to Roland’s parents, Kati and Otto, to his sister Olga, and to all of Roland’s family and friends. We hope it brings some comfort to know that Roland is remembered with great respect, warmth, and gratitude, even from far away.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Roland’s entire family and friends. I have so many good memories of Roland as a younger man. I will keep Roland alive in my memories. Rest in peace.
It’s been a pleasure knowing you and I always admired your approachable demeanor. Ride in peace good sir.
I’m so sad to hear of Roland’s passing. During the brief time that I worked with him, Roland was genuine, funny, compassionate, and always brutally honest. He was incredibly proud of his son Otto, as well as his Hungarian heritage and family. It was a pleasure and privilege to know him and I know his loss will leave a void in the lives of his family and friends. I wish you comfort and peace as you navigate the grief of Roland’s passing.
I have great memories of Roland during the wonderful times at the ice rink when it was up and running, spending a lot of time there with the kids and other team parents. Otto and my son, Carlos, played many seasons together and as I had two other sons playing hockey, I saw Roland all the time. Roland was always enjoyable to speak to and his fund of knowledge on all aspects of human spaceflight engineering was incredibly impressive. I distinctly recall our many conversations at the culmination of the Space Shuttle Program when he was one of the few remaining United Space Alliance employees. I, somewhat humorously, also remember his frustrations with all the problems that owning an ice rink brought him, especially when the Zamboni broke down, the ice was melting, teen employees didn’t show for work so he had to sell concessions, etc, and his very dry/sarcastic wit during all those sagas. May Roland rest in peace with the angels and may the Nedelkovich family find peace and consolation during this time of loss.
Roland, friend, you’ll be missed. You were always there to support, encourage and be a friend, no matter what crazy thing was going on. I wish we’d gone riding together, but still know you as a 2 wheel brother. Otto, your dad was a real man, and I’m sure you are too. Take care of his memory, and keep blazing a trail like his. Integrity is invaluable, and truth is everything.
In Him.
Otto and Nuala, I can’t believe Roland is gone. Too soon. I am so sorry for your incredible loss. All of the hockey families from Keith”s & Otto’s team had a lot of fun running the roads to Dallas and beyond almost every weekend it seems! And I remember his Bernese Mountain Dog who used to come dry-land training with him–the doggie took up the whole backseat of his car. I am thankful for his commitment to Space City Ice Station, keeping it open as long as they possibly could. And for helping coach Keith in hockey. May all of your many many great memories of him and with him eventually outnumber your tears. My heartfelt condolences during this terribly sad time. 💔
On behalf of the astronaut flight crew of Space Shuttle Mission STS-83, I want to express our sincere sorrow for Roland’s passing. “Bud” served as the lead of the Vehicle Integration Test Team for our 1997 scientific mission, which made him our key contact with the Kennedy Space Center’s preparation of our orbiter (Columbia) for a safe launch and successful mission. He took all his professional duties seriously and accomplished them to NASA standards, which was (and is) a very high standard indeed.
But, as so many of these tributes point out, Bud’s talents went well beyond professionalism and diligence. He also brought self-deprecating humor, earnest cheerfulness, and an ability to anticipate what was needed even without being asked for it. Bud understood that sometimes the rules didn’t anticipate every specific case—when that happened, he wasn’t beyond bending them a little to do the right thing. The STS-83 flight crew was unique in that all but one of us was unmarried. At that time, NASA rules treated our ‘significant others’ less preferentially than the thoughtful attention paid to the concerns and needs of legal spouses. Because of his personal relationship with each of us, Bud understood that these differences were needlessly causing additional stress to the crew at just the wrong time. As only Bud could, he took it upon himself to pull strings and cajole sympathetic NASA personnel to obtain equivalent, if unofficial, VIP care and treatment for our special guests. His kindhearted helpfulness to the most important people in our lives—nowhere mentioned in his job description—eased tensions for everyone, allowing us to launch with one less thing to worry about.
In the decades since, whenever we talk to or email each other, many wonderful “Bud Stories” like this still bring laughter to our conversations and gratitude to our hearts. And they always will. Godspeed, Bud.