August 28, 2008 — Richard D. Rohr, a prominent member of Michigan’s legal community for more than 50 years, and chairman of Bodman LLP for 25 years, died on Wednesday, August 27 at Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe, after a long illness. He was 81.
A devoted family man and brilliant attorney, Rohr led Bodman, which is today one of Michigan’s largest business law firms, through a period of tremendous growth and prosperity from 1975 to 2000.“No person has contributed more to Bodman than Dick Rohr,” said Larry R. Shulman, Bodman’s current chairman. “The business leaders of his generation called upon him for help in handling the most difficult and complex matters. He led by example and exemplified the work ethic that has been a hallmark of Bodman and a cornerstone of its success.”
Rohr was involved in significant commercial litigation matters, acted as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association in major securities law cases, and was involved in scores of public offerings. A nationally recognized expert in banking, corporate and securities law, he represented and served as a director of Kaufman & Broad, Inc., for more than 30 years, from its first public offering through its merger with SunAmerica, Inc., a $50 billion annuity and financial services company. He represented long-time Bodman client Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit for decades and served on the bank’s Board of Directors. He advised Manufacturers on its successful 1991 merger with Comerica Bank and continued to represent and serve as a director of Comerica for many more years.
“He was very proud of the role he played in sustaining and furthering the culture of ethics and high standards at Bodman and of the role he played in building the firm” said his daughter, Lisa Wood.
“As proud as he was of Bodman, he was most proud of his family,” Wood said. “He absolutely loved kids and was a devoted father and grandfather. He was also committed to his extended family and to his Catholic faith.”
Rohr remained a major presence at Bodman following his retirement from the active practice of law. His portrait hangs in a prominent location in Bodman’s Detroit office conference center and he continued to consult frequently with firm management on matters of firm business. He is remembered with tremendous fondness and respect by generations of Bodman partners whom he mentored and guided throughout their careers.
“He led the firm with compassion and humility,” Shulman said. “He helped shape the way our attorneys think about the firm, the practice of law, and our relationships with each other. We will miss him greatly.”
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Rohr’s mother, Marie Pilliod Rohr, was a homemaker and his father, Walter Rohr, worked in commercial real estate. The family moved to Detroit when he was six. Walter Rohr managed several significant properties in Detroit, including the David Stott Building and the Eaton Tower (later known as the David Broderick Tower).
Rohr attended Boys’ Catholic Central High School and worked delivering mail after school during World War II. After graduation from high school he attended Harvard College briefly, leaving to enlist in the U.S. Army. Trained as a military policeman, he was on a troop transport to Japan when the War ended and served in occupied Japan after the signing of the armistice.
After leaving the military he returned to Harvard where he studied American history and literature, graduating magna cum laude in 1950. After considering a career as a history teacher, he entered the University of Michigan Law School where he excelled, graduated at the top of his class and served as editor-in chief of the Michigan Law Review. He joined Bodman immediately after graduating and spent his entire legal career with the firm.
In addition to his distinguished career at Bodman, Rohr served as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and the University of Detroit-Mercy law schools, teaching courses on business planning, partnership, corporation, securities, and tax law. He supported dozens of local charities, including Cornerstone Schools, Loyola Academy High School, the University of Michigan, and numerous Catholic charities.
“My father was a great advocate of education at all levels, including the education of his own children and the professional development of younger lawyers at Bodman,” Wood said.
Among his many professional accomplishments, he served as city attorney for Grosse Pointe Park from 1962 to 1978 and as a Trustee and President of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Foundation.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann; six children: Martha R. Nachreiner, Lisa R. Wood, Matthew L. Rohr, Sarah J. Rohr, Margaret B. Rohr, and Thomas P. Rohr; nine grandchildren; and a brother, Donald G. Rohr of Providence, Rhode Island.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29 at the Charles Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, 48230. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Farms on Saturday, August 30 at 12:30 p.m. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the St. Paul Educational Trust, c/o St. Paul Catholic Church, 157 Lakeshore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, 48236.