Donald H. Rohlwing

Rohlwing, Donald “Don” passed away in Henrico, VA at the age of 85 on May 4, 2024. Don was the loving husband of his wife, Teri, for 59 years and together they raised four sons: Kevin, Tim, Tom and Scott. Don was born and raised in Elgin, IL and proudly called Elgin his home. After graduating from Elgin High School in 1957, he served in the Army from 1962-64 at Uncle Sam’s request and then returned to Elgin to work at the family tire dealership owned by his father (Arnold) and his uncle (Elmer), Rohlwing Brothers General Tire. Don’s brother Ken joined the business and together they became the second generation of Rohlwing brothers to run Rohlwing Brothers until they sold it in 2008 and retired. 

Don Rohlwing was more than just a small business owner in Elgin. He proudly served as a reserve police officer with Elgin Police for 26 years and was a long-time member and elder of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Don was also a Cubmaster of Pack 62 at Good Shepherd and a minor league baseball coach at Classic Little League in Wing Park. His record as a little league coach was not very good, but he made sure that every kid on his team got to play every game and get at least one at bat. He knew how it felt to attend your child’s baseball game and they didn’t get to play. On his teams, no child or parent had to experience that disappointment. After retiring from Rohlwing Brothers, he was a proud member of the Heritage Shores 9-Hole Men’s Golf League because 9 holes was enough.

Don said many times that if he didn’t run his boys, the boys would run him. But he did it in a way that wasn’t mean or cruel. Justice was swift and fair when warranted. He was their baseball coach and Cubmaster and very involved in their lives during their childhood. Don also set high standards for his boys that came with total accountability for their behavior. The teenage years were a circus at the Rohlwing home with all four boys in crosstown rival Larkin at the same time. His simple rules were drilled into their heads on a daily basis. Favorites include “don’t get yourself into anything you can’t yourself out of” and “if you want to play, you have to pay.” His grandchildren are well aware of those, and other sayings originated by Don Rohlwing and they will no doubt pass them on to the next generation. But perhaps his most famous saying was “case closed.” For his children and employees, it meant the discussion was over and any attempt to continue would likely be met with additional consequences. When you heard those words, it was best to just keep your mouth shut and walk away.

As a man, his word was good as gold and no one ever left a conversation with Don Rohlwing saying, “I wonder what he really thinks?” Don was honest in everything he did and said. If you’re not prepared for his answer, then don’t ask him a question. A man of deep faith, he was never rude or condescending, but he had a strong conviction for speaking his truth and he said it in a way that usually made his point crystal clear. While some people did not always appreciate his level of honesty, his opinions came from a good place and they usually made sense, which is why other people loved having him in the room. He wasn't afraid to say what needed to be said and said it in colorful, but not vulgar, terms that were difficult to argue with.

As a husband, Don was totally devoted to Teri for more than 60 years. What started on a blind date ended with an incredible family that loved him dearly. He worked overtime when the boys were young so Teri could be a stay-at-home mom until they started school. When the boys were older and out of college, they traveled, with trips to the Holy Land, Europe and Hawaii. After they moved to Delaware for retirement, they were a fixture at the pink and blue couples golf tournaments at Heritage Shores, where they enjoyed the good life for 10 years. Don loved to play golf and Teri loved to spend time with Don, so she started playing golf. They were the perfect couple. She kept him in line, he kept her safe.

Don Rohlwing was always glad to meet you or see you, even if he couldn’t remember your name. He remembered people and people remembered him because he was just an all-around great man. If you needed his help, he was there. If you needed to borrow something, just bring it back when you’re done. If you needed his opinion, he’d give it to you. And if you needed someone to drink a beer and watch a Cubs game, he was your man. Don lived a full life as a son, brother, friend, soldier, businessman, husband, father, and role model for his sons, grandchildren and their friends.

When dementia started robbing him of his mind, the Don Rohlwing that everyone knew began to lose his spark. He would get frustrated when he couldn’t remember something and Teri or the boys would always tell him it’s okay. Dementia is a cruel disease because it takes your mind, and the physical body is there but the person is not. The family is eternally grateful for his in-home caregivers as well as the people at Discovery Village who took such great care of him in his final days. He passed away peacefully in a safe and caring environment with family by his side.

The legacy of Don Rohlwing is the family he left behind. Kevin, Tim, Tom, and Scott married Debbie, Becky, Wendy and Lisa respectively and he has eight grandchildren, four boys and four girls: Eric, Andy, Nate and Nick; and Kristin Sackett (Kevin), Rachel Dumont (Devin), Sydney, and Kennedy. He was incredibly proud of his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren who share his faith and commitment to family, honesty, and a strong work ethic. Don’s greatest achievement in life was marrying Teri and raising his four sons to be good husbands, fathers, and people. His influence will be felt for generations and for those who knew him, memories of Don Rohlwing will always make them smile. Case closed.

Celebration of Life services are being planned for Mechanicsville, VA in June and Elgin, IL in the fall. Details will be released as they become available.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.