RORHL, Robert E.

Roehl, Robert E. Robert E. Roehl, Oil industry executive Robert E. Roehl, 79, died on Monday, Dec. 1, in Scottsdale, AZ of an apparent heart attack. He was born in Iola, Kansas and lived there during his early years through high school. He attended the University of Kansas and then USC, under a Naval officer training program, receiving a B.S. degree in Naval Science and commission into the Navy as Ensign in 1945. He served on several Navy vessels in the Pacific toward the latter part and following the end of World War II. He then completed a B.S. in electrical engineering at Kansas State University. He returned to the Midwest, married Verla Fae Jones of LeRoy, KS and began a career in the oil industry with Cities Service Oil Co., in Midland, TX and Bartlesville, OK. He subsequently was transferred to the New York headquarters, where he managed company oil supplies and transpor-tation. During this time he served on a Department of Interior crude oil supply defense and logistics board. In 1964 he joined Commonwealth Oil Refining Co., at the time the major petroleum refining company of Puerto Rico. Following Commonweath, he served as CEO of International Energy Services, a subsidiary of the Williams Companies in Tulsa, OK. In 1980 he joined The Simmons company, an entrepreneurial oil trading and refining company in Phoenix, AZ, from which he retired in 1992. Amidst his career he remained devoted to his children and extended family. Throughout his life Bob was an avid tennis player and enthusiast, recognized by his crushing forehand. He also greatly enjoyed swimming and had a special attraction to the ocean and beach. He was always very active in the Presbyterian Church and in retirement enjoyed numerous volunteer activities. He was predeceased by his wife, Verla. He settled permanently in Scottsdale and was remarried to Karen Kramer until 1991. He is survived by a trusted brother, Charles and his wife Lura, and five sons, Randall and his wife Phoebe of Bridgewater, NJ, Timothy and his wife Madelyn of Ada, OK, Robert Jr. and his wife Katrina of Bradenton, FL, Stephen and his wife Deborah of Longboat Key, FL, and Christopher of Scottsdale, AZ, plus nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, 11:00 am at the Valley Presbyterian Church, Paradise Valley, AZ. Memorial donations are encouraged to the Valley Presbyterian Church or Emily Center at the Phoenix Children's Hospital - Aces for Kids program. Published in the Arizona Republic on 12/5/2003.