Paul Randolph Rohr

Paul Randolph “Randy” Rohr, 81, of Charleston, WV, passed away at home after a short illness. He was born in Charleston on April 5, 1945, the son of Phillip and Ellinor Rohr. 

Randy was a talented engineer, a loving husband, a devoted father, and a man of faith.

He was born just before World War II ended and grew up in Charleston, where his family lived between MacCorkle Avenue and the Kanawha River. He went to Charleston High School and played on the wrestling team. After graduating, he attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1967. Soon after, he met Patti, the love of his life, and they married in 1968.

After GA Tech, Randy was accepted to several universities’ graduate programs and settled on the University of Michigan. After a short stint at UM he decided to go back to Charleston. From there, he worked for Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) as a junior engineer; he worked there several summers between the Spring and Fall Quarters while attending GA Tech. While working for UCC, he took classes at the local West Virginia University (WVU) satellite campus within West Virginia State University, earning his master’s degree in engineering. After finishing his master’s degree, Randy matriculated to WVU’s main campus in Morgantown, WV to study biomechanics, earning a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 1975. 

Randy was always curious about how things worked. As a teenager, he took apart his newly acquired ’57 Chevy, spreading engine parts all over his parents’ driveway, just to see how everything fit together. He challenged himself to put it all back, and this sparked a lifelong passion for cars. Over the years, he bought, sold, traded, and owned numerous cars during his life. 

While Randy was at WVU and Patti was finishing her bachelor’s in social work, he made many friends in the community, including one who opened a home stereo and electronics store near campus. As a teaching assistant and graduate student, Randy had more free time, which he spent riding dirt bikes, working on cars, and repairing electronics at his friend’s store. He also joined ROTC during the Vietnam War, which led him to attend Army basic training at Fort Belvoir in Alexandria, VA. 

In 1975, after being stationed in Alexandria, Randy and Patti decided they wanted to settle in the DC area after Randy finished graduate school. After Randy defended his PhD dissertation he applied for jobs in the DC area. After moving to the DC area, Randy and Patti started a family when Matthew was born in the mid 1970s. During this time Randy worked for Ensco, Amtrak, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the late 1970s, while he and Patti raised Matthew in Northern Virginia. In the early 1980s, they welcomed their second son, Chris, and moved to Clifton, VA. Around this time, Randy began working for the Department of Defense, focusing on ballistics and nuclear weapons, as well as, developing naval guns and other military systems. He held several patents for gun ignitor systems. This was his favorite part of his career, and he became a valued team member known for his broad engineering knowledge. Coworkers often turned to him for help with other projects, he was known as a versatile engineer among his peers. During his 15 years at the DoD, he traveled across the United States and Europe, working with scientists and engineers to test and develop various ballistics and explosives for the military. After his time at the DoD, he worked for several defense contractors and finished his career as an engineering Subject Matter Expert for the Department of Homeland Security. 

Randy was a man of faith who regularly attended church and Bible study with Patti, making many lifelong friends along the way. On weekends, he could be found coaching Matt’s soccer team, working on electronics, riding his Kubota tractor in the yard, reading biographies on famous figures from World War II, or tinkering with his cars. He also developed a passion for antique brass-blade fans from the turn of the century and enjoyed restoring them. Patti often helped by taking the fans to be refinished at a local industrial painting company and even helped sell a few. Randy was always active and never stayed still for long. He loved his sons deeply, encouraged them in school, tutored them in math and science, and supported their hobbies. 

After a 38-year career in science and engineering, Randy and Patti retired to the Charlottesville area. They joined a new church and continued their faith journey. Randy kept busy working on antique fans, electronics, and woodworking projects for their new home. 

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia “Patti” Harper Rohr, his sons Christopher and Matthew, Matthew’s wife, Amanda Osman Rohr, and his grandsons Gavin and Bryce, who held a special place in his heart. 

He was loved dearly the world will not be the same without this Rocket Scientist.

Services for Randy may be announced at a later date.

Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, Virginia is honored to serve the Rohr family.