Robert Henry (Bob) Rohlf

Rohlf, Robert Henry (Bob) of Edina and Minneapolis, MN passed away. He was born in Minneapolis on May 14, 1928 to Henry E. and Helen (Mulcahy) Rohlf. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Joan Ann (Peters) and son in law Timothy Stepanek. He is survived by children Catherine Stepanek, Cynthia Molenaar (Karl), William (Kris), John (Dawne), David (Kristine), fourteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren and 17 nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of De La Salle High School, earned his B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and earned two Masters Degrees from the University of Minnesota. His career started at the University of Minnesota then in 1955 to the Minneapolis Public Library where he became project manager for planning the new Minneapolis Central library. In 1959 he became the founding Director of the nation's first multi-county regional library system, the Dakota-Scott Regional Library. In 1965 he was recruited to the Library of Congress as the Coordinator of Building Planning for the proposed James Madison Memorial Library in Washington D.C., the largest library building in the world. In 1967 he was promoted to Director of Administration for the Library of Congress. In 1969 he was recruited back to Minnesota where he was hired to be Director of the Hennepin County Library System a post he held for the next 25 years. During his tenure he over saw the expansion of 14 new regional libraries and made Hennepin county one of the top library systems in the country. Bob was very active in professional organizations including President of the Minnesota Library Association. He served for 16 years on the Governing Council of the American Library Association and was President of the national Public Library Association. The Library Journal named him one of the "Ten Outstanding Library Directors in the Country". He also led the Robert H. Rohlf Associates consulting firm which utilized library experts from many different libraries and specialties. They had projects in over 40 states and six countries. The projects included libraries in Portland, Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, San Jose, St. Louis, New York City, San Diego, Duluth, Cleveland, Vancouver, Paris, Mexico City and Alexandria Egypt. Bob was a charter member of the Minnesota Humanities Commission, a volunteer for many years for Meals on Wheels and worked with Habitat for Humanity. He served on many Boards of Directors including the Minneapolis Jaycees, Fred B. Wright Memorial Fund, Edina Rotary and the North Central Regional Arthritis Foundation. He served St. Thomas the Apostle Church as a member of the Building committee and as a long time usher, lector and communion minister. He was an active reader, golfer, sailor, card player and social dancer and for years made ski trips to the western mountains and canoe trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He was also known for his extensive bowtie collection. Bob and Joan were also part of the Bridge Group which included the Todd, Chesla, McGuire and Day families. Amazing families and lifelong friends. "Are we in cahoots?" With all of his activities his family and his church came first. His major joys were anniversaries with Joan to the North Shore and time spent with their children and grandchildren on annual vacations. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, June 17, 2017 at St. Thomas Apostle Church, 2914 W 44th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410 followed by luncheon reception. Visitation will be 4:30-7 PM Friday at the Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel - 5000 W 50th St. Edina. Memorials to: De La Salle High School, 1 De La Salle Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55401; Minnesota Library Association, 1619 W Dayton Ave. #314, St. Paul, MN 55104. Read more at http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/202728/?fullname=robert-henry-bob-rohlf#I24ye7P4rKlr5eH7.99 Read more at http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/202728/?fullname=robert-henry-bob-rohlf#y8xLLTcFDlDGIf4M.99

Tributes

Robert Henry (Bob) Rohlf

June 6, 2017

Tributes

Robert Henry (Bob) Rohlf

June 6, 2017

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