Robert Harold Rohloff

Robert Harold Rohloff passed away peacefully on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the age of 95 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Known to his family and friends as “Bob”, he was born to Joseph H. Rohloff and Elizabeth Walker Rohloff in Providence, Rhode Island on April 5, 1926. He enlisted in the army at age 17 and served in the 16th Armored Division of Patton’s Third U.S. Army in its dash across France, Germany and into Czechoslovakia meeting Soviet forces near Prague. While stationed in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia as the war concluded, Bob, along with other G.I.’s, covertly assisted Czech civilians in escaping the Soviet Occupation zone for freedom in the West. Throughout his life Bob was very proud of his military service and in his elder years loved to be acknowledged by well-wishers while wearing his World War II Veteran cap.

After the war Bob attended Brown University, played clarinet and oboe in the Brown Band, and graduated in 1950 with a BA degree in International Relations. After graduating he enjoyed a 38-year career with AMICA Mutual Insurance Company in Providence, Rhode Island until his retirement in 1988. He married Phyllis Rowena Perry in 1957 and they raised 2 sons in Warwick, Rhode Island until her passing in 1985. He married Freda D. Rutkevicz in 1988 and since 1989 they retired together in Charleston, South Carolina until her passing in 2018.

Bob had a witty and easy-going personality that earned him many friends. Bob loved music, especially the Big Bands of the 40’s and Scott Joplin piano rag. He channeled his love of people and music into square dancing and round dancing clubs in both Rhode Island and South Carolina. He also loved exploring and learning about the rich local history of both New England and Charleston and volunteered as a docent at historical sites at the latter during his retirement. He most enjoyed spending time doing things with his family ranging from international travel and cruises to simply playing a card game and chatting with great music in the background.

Bob is survived by his two sons, Richard P. Rohloff and his wife Deborah R. Rohloff of McLean, Virginia and William R. Rohloff and his wife Lisa M. Rohloff of Raleigh, North Carolina. He also leaves behind two step-daughters, Lauren A. Poe and her husband Daniel J. Poe, Jr. of Charleston, South Carolina and Kristen M. Rutkevicz of Wakefield, Rhode Island. Bob has 9 grandchildren: Katherine Rohloff, Ava Rohloff Szafranski and her husband Andrew Szafranski, Alec Rohloff, Jason Poe, Andrew Poe and his wife Deborah and children Ivan and Jasper, Colby Poe and his wife Colleen, Daria Poe, Sierra Fetzer and Calle Fetzer.

Bob will be interred at Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery after a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Our Military Kids, a nonprofit that provides support to children of deployed service members and resources to families of service members recovering from severe injuries sustained during an overseas mission ( ourmilitarykids.org ).

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.