Legacy of Truth Spotlight: Roald Cann

For more than 22 years, Roald Cann was a faithful supporter of our efforts. Sadly, Roald, "Rolly" to friends and family, peacefully passed away at his home last May at the age of 82. A public interest champion, Rolly was well-known as a kind and compassionate person who loved and respected all living things.

Rolly came to the United States from the Netherlands at the age of 12. Impressively, he received his master's degree while working on torpedo and missile guidance systems at MIT. Equally as impressive, he worked as an engineer at Bryant Grinder Corporation for 40 years and traveled the world as a systems troubleshooter. Because of his kindness and skill at solving problems, he made friends everywhere he went.

In addition to supporting Government Accountability Project for so many years, Rolly believed in and supported his community as well by serving on many boards and performing volunteer work. Rolly personally shared with us his passion for worker rights, environmental protection and whistleblower reform. Government Accountability Project president Louis Clark commented on his relationship with him: "I remember when we asked Rolly why he was specifically involved with Government Accountability Project, and he told us that as an engineer, he saw whistleblowers as courageous problem solvers, appreciated their sacrifices and wanted to help them. For the last 22 years he had done just that, and now, with his legacy gift, he will do so for years to come. I am proud to have known him."