Bob Rohrman, Chicago Area Car Dealer, Dies

CHICAGO, IL — Bob Rohrman, one of the Chicago area's most recognized car dealers, has died, according to his family, WGN reported.

Known as “Bob Rohrrrrrrr-man” thanks to his dealership's commercials, the legendary car dealer got his start in 1955 and had more than 30 dealerships spanning Wisconsin to Indiana, according to the news report.

An Indiana native, the Rohrman Performing Arts Center at his alma mater, Lafayette Jefferson High School (class of 1952), was named after him in 2010, according to Chicago Magazine. He gifted $3.5 million of the needed funds for the wing.

Also in 2019, Rohrman's annual revenues totaled about $850 million as the 22nd largest auto dealer in the U.S., the 2010 Chicago Magazine feature noted, according to Indiana Business Magazine.

That feature, written by Josh Schollmeyer, described the car dealership giant as one whose familiar face "is full with play, permanently mustachioed, and capable of animatronics," adding that Rohrman "is to car deals what Tony the Tiger is to sugar-covered cereal. For added effect, he, too, employs a cartoon feline jungle creature as his mascot, Rohrie the Lion, who bellows the promise, 'There is only one Bob ROOOHHHRRR-man!' toward the end of each commercial."

Rohrman was divorced three times, and shares five children with his first wife Shirley. From there came 16 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Rohrman was in his mid-80s, and his cause of death hasn't been released, according to WGN. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Check back with Patch for updates on this developing story.