It is with sadness that we confirm the passing of Harry Rohde, a visionary in the corrugated packaging industry and a cherished family man. Rohde passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on September 11, in Las Vegas, NV, surrounded by his family.
Born on July 2, 1929, in Greenfield, MA, Rohde was the son of Hyman and Leonora Rohde. After graduating from City College of New York, he started his career, working for several box plants as an engineer and plant manager, gaining experience that would later inform his entrepreneurial endeavors. Eventually, he founded his own business, providing consulting services and developing computerized estimating systems specifically for box plants.
His work led to the development of a comprehensive suite of integrated modules, known as HRMS (Harry Rohde Management Systems). This system allowed small and midsize box plants to access affordable computerization previously available only to large integrated manufacturers with mainframe computers. HRMS, running on mini-computers, quickly gained adoption across many independent box plants, a testament to Harry’s vision and dedication to advancing the industry.
Outside of his professional achievements, he was a devoted husband to Libby and a loving father to his children, Jan, Andrea, and Laurel. He also leaves behind a legacy through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought immense joy to his life.
