Rohn Drake Rich

Rohn Drake Rich, 60, of Davenport, Iowa, died April 10 unexpectedly after a sudden illness. Rohn was born on December 25, 1949, in Bainbridge, Georgia. He is survived by his husband, Rev. Rich Hendricks, his brother, Rhodes Rich and sister-in-law Mary Rich of Alton, Illinois, niece Tracy Hilgert and her husband John and their children Rebecca Hilgert and Ian Hilgert; niece Victoria Allen and her children Parker, Brooke and Alexis, niece Jennifer Jondro and her husband Chris and their children Kayleigh, Amanda, Aryn and Kassidy; nephew Jack Lamb and child McKenzie; as well as many special friends and his two long time feline companions, Winston and Sylvia. Rohn was preceded in death by his parents, Edith Means, formerly of Jacksonville, Florida and Edwin “Buddy” Rich, formerly of Portland, Maine.Rohn was a dedicated, fiercely protective and devoted husband. The couple had been together 11 years, and were legally married in Iowa at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities (“MCC QC”) on May 3, 2009. Rohn attended high schools in Bainbridge, Georgia, Jacksonville, Florida and Houston, Texas before studying for two years at St. John's River Community College, Palatka, Florida. He started working with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida in 1971, and moved to Chicago in 1978 to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where he was employed for 26 years in various management capacities, including annual meeting planning, policies and governance. Rohn retired in 2005, instead working full-time as an independent consultant for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Rohn was a member of MCC QC, where he assisted his pastor husband by being the volunteer church secretary. In addition to answering the church phone and web mail, Rohn wrote and maintained the program for the church's membership database, designed and maintained the church web site, and proofed and copied the weekly worship bulletins for MCC QC. Prior to moving to Iowa, Rohn was an active member of Holy Covenant Metropolitan Community Church, Brookfield, Illinois, where he served on its board of directors. Rohn was a volunteer for AIDS Project Quad Cities (“APQC”), where he served on the annual Red Ribbon Dinner fundraising committee and prepared and donated a meal once a month for the APQC Thursday meal fundraisers held at Connections Night Club in Davenport. Rohn was a contributor to many causes, and cared deeply about health care for all, equal rights for all and keeping religion out of our government. Along with Rev. Hendricks, Jeff Simpson and MCC QC, Rohn helped found QC Pride, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, education and civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and served as the bookkeeper and webmaster for QC Pride, Inc. In addition to his volunteer work, Rohn enjoyed cooking, music, singing karaoke and playing the piano for his own enjoyment. Rohn completed his daily crossword puzzle and various word games in his free time, as well as enjoying drinks with his friends at Connections Night Club and Mary's on 2nd.Rohn was highly opinionated, but would walk through fire for the people he cared about. Rohn enjoyed his family, including spending time with his in-laws. He was also naturally generous, especially so to wait staff and persons who served the general public, saying he was always glad that he did not have to do so any more. A special celebration of Rohn's life will be held at a later time. Memorials may be sent to AIDS Project Quad Cities or to Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities.