Erwin C. Rohde passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2004, in the Renaissance Gardens skilled nursing facility at Brooksby Village, Peabody, Massachusetts, following a short stay. He had recently celebrated his 88th birthday.
Mr. Rohde was born in Bay City, Michigan, on August 26, 1916, and lived in Saginaw, Michigan, until he became the first member of his family to attend college. He graduated from the University of Michigan 1939 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was employed by the General Electric Company for 42 years. While working at the Riverworks plant in Lynn, Massachusetts, Mr. Rohde designed steam turbines for ship propulsion and industrial power plants, became a manager of engineering, traveled widely, and was honored with many awards. Following his retirement from GE in 1981, he became the Light Commissioner for the town of Marblehead for many years and continued to be actively involved with issues related to electric power generation.
Mr. Rohde married Margaret E. Brown, a musician and music teacher, on March 28, 1942. They settled in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and moved to their home on Marblehead Neck in 1952, where they lived for more than 40 years and raised 3 children. In his leisure time, Mr. Rohde enjoyed woodworking, growing flowers and vegetables, and sailing his Town Class sailboat. Following the death of his wife in 1995, Mr. Rohde became an early resident of Brooksby Village in Peabody, Massachusetts, in 2001, where he lived for the last 3 1/2 years. At Brooksby Village, he enjoyed independent living, keeping up with current events, listening to classical music, and visiting with his family.
Mr. Rohde is survived by his 3 children: Katherine Sullivan of Smithfield, Maine, Kirsten Rohde of Seattle, Washington, Carl F. Rohde of Boulder, Colorado, and 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth Schultz of Camden, South Carolina, and his brother Robert Rohde of Bay City, Michigan.
Friends of Mr. Rohde are welcome to drop in between 1:00 and 3:00 PM on Thursday, September 23, 2004, at Town Center, Brooksby Village, 100 Brooksby Dr., Peabody, Massachusetts, to pay respects to his family and to celebrate his life. Friends are also welcome to join the family at Waterside Cemetery on Friday, September 24, 2004, at 10:30 AM for a brief graveside remembrance. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Brooksby Village Scholarship Fund, c/o Gift Planning Department, 100 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, MA 01960.
