Christian F. Rolfing

November 10, 1944 - July 21, 2003

Beloved Bensenville coach, teacher remembered

One of Bensenville Elementary District 2's longest-serving teachers and coaches has died.

Christian F. Rohlfing, 58 of Addison, died late Monday at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Blackhawk Middle School Principal James Newlin said he and Rohlfing became friends in 1969 when they both taught western civilization and American history classes at the school.

"We both stayed here (at Blackhawk) for our whole careers and not too many people can do that anymore, so he was doing something right," Newlin said.

Newlin said Rohlfing was a great teacher who had a lot of knowledge to share - so much that he could sometimes be long-winded.

"He really liked to lecture, if you know what I mean," Newlin joked. "Sometimes, some weary-eyed kids would come out of his room after class, and you knew Chris had a lot to say that day."

Outside of the classroom, family members said Rohlfing enjoyed teaching kids basketball. He coached the middle school's team for several years before he retired in 2000. He couldn't get enough, though, and returned to referee the school's basketball games.

"He loved the game and he passed that on to his players and those he taught as a referee," Newlin said. "We coached together, too. He (coached) the older team and I coached the younger kids, and he always had a great team of focused kids."

Rohlfing also had an affinity for his toy train collection, and even served as president of the Train Collectors Association's Midwest Division. The association, founded in 1954 in Pennsylvania, has grown to a worldwide organization with more than 31,000 members in 20 divisions with 20 chapters.

He shared the train hobby with his wife of 31 years, Marlene.

"I'll never forget that he clenched my hand (the night before he died) and told me not to worry about him living a short life because he lived a full life, and that meant so much to me," she said. "Chris was a wonderful man in every sense of the word, and he was stolen away from us."

In addition to his wife, Rohlfing is survived by sons David and Daniel, mother Marie and brother David.

Visitation will be Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Geils Funeral Home, 180 S. York Road in Bensenville. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 121 W. Church St. in Elmhurst. Interment will be private.