Robert Wayne Rohde in undated photograph

Robert Wayne Rohde, of Holden Beach, North Carolina and formerly of Babylon, died Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at his home at Holden Beach, surrounded by his family and listening to his favorite big band music. He was 78 years old.

The Rohde family together with the Lower Cape Fear Hospice shared the last days of Bob’s life which was chronicled in the Brunswick Beacon. This compelling final chapter of the last 19 days of Bob’s life is gracefully captured in these series of articles published with the family’s blessing. To receive a copy of this testament to Bob’s legacy of humor and grace and his family’s courage and faithfulness, please call 631-669-3323.

Born October 18, 1926 in Peekskill, New York, Mr. Rohde was the son of the late Charles F. and Gertrude S. Rohde. At the age of 17 he served honorably in the U.S. Navy on P.T. 105 and then married his high school sweetheart Florence Taylor, for a loving and successful marriage of 55 years.

Mr. Rohde retired from his career as a civil engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation and moved to Holden Beach in 1982. He was truly a renaissance man whose intellectual curiosity, keen insight and gifted abilities kept him engaged and interested in everything around him, including extensive travel all around the world, and numerous construction projects and hobbies.

"Bob took extraordinary pride in his family and their achievements and will be remembered by his many, many friends, as a loyal and generous comrade," said Bill Lockwood, a family friend.

He is survived by his wife Florence and his children Wayne and his wife Noreen of Westerville Ohio; Robert Rohde Jr. of Holden Beach and Michele R. Gore and husband Bill of Whiteville. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Megan Rohde; Maureen Martin; Tara, Bill, Dawn and Lindsey Gore and Tarek Djouhri. His daughter Sharon Rohde Djouhri predeceased him.