I noticed this obituary yesterday and couldn't help but read it because the surname was familiar to me as a Kirkwood family. Here is someone whom we should have put in our Alumni Hall of Fame! Maybe he IS, I haven't looked at that segment of our KHS website lately. The things/places he influenced certainly have been part of the fabric of our lives for decades. And now he won't have to see the possible demise of Plaza Frontenac as the stores there begin to close, losing Saks is a major blow! Having attended Wash U and worked at Barnes Hospital for nearly 10 years, and spending time in the CWE, his activities certainly were at play in my own surroundings to say nothing of those of so many St. Louisans! Just another "bloom where you're planted" thing experienced by many people who don't wander far from home as they mature and age.
Richard Arthur “Dick” Roloff, 96, of University City, Missouri, passed
away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 6, 2026.
Born on February 12, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of
Robert F. Roloff and Marion J. Roloff. He grew up in Kirkwood and
graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1948. He graduated from
Washington University in St. Louis in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in
industrial engineering following which he served in the U S Coast Guard.
After serving in the Coast Guard, Dick and his wife, Margaret “Peggy”
Rodgers Roloff, moved to South Texas, where he served as developer and
Mayor of the town of Laguna Vista, helping transform the coastal area
into a growing community.
Returning to St. Louis, Dick became president of Capitol Land Company.
He helped lead the development of several major projects in the region,
including Plaza Frontenac and the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton.
Later he brought his development and finance experience to Washington
University, where he served on the Board of Trustees before becoming
Executive Vice Chancellor for Capital Projects from 1991 to 2006. Dick
helped guide the university’s expansion and played an important role in
the redevelopment of the Central West End and the area surrounding the
university’s Medical Campus.
He received the Alumni Achievement Award from the School of Engineering
in 1976. In 1991, he was named Businessperson of the Year by the Clayton
Chamber of Commerce. Washington University later recognized his
contributions with the prestigious Dean’s Medal in 2000, the School of
Engineering Dean’s Award in 2007 for his leadership as chair of the
school’s Major Gifts Committee, and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in
2010.
Outside of work, he enjoyed biking, skiing, hiking and sailing, and in
his later years he especially enjoyed gardening. For decades he rode
bicycles through Forest Park with his son Rick.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, who died in 2001. He is
survived by his sons, Rick Roloff (Natasha Kwan) and Steven Roloff
(Jill), and his daughters Anne Klein (Peter) and Kathy Bitting (Billy).
He is also remembered by his longtime companion, Gerhild Williams, as
well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Through decades of development, leadership and mentorship, Richard
Roloff quietly helped shape Washington University and the city of St
Louis. His work will continue to be felt for generations. He believed
strongly in giving people opportunities and mentored many young
professionals throughout his career.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to Broken Tree Church: BrokenTree.org
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