Rollin Lee Bard

He was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 12, 1942, to Ronald Vincent and Helene Joy (nee Carr) Bard just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Rollin spent his early years in Youngsville, Pennsylvania, before the family moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, on his fifth birthday. In 1952, the family settled in Elkins, West Virginia, where his father opened a new Chrysler/Plymouth dealership, Bard Motors. From a young age, Rollin could always be found ‘down at the garage’ working alongside his father where he learned the ins and outs of the automobile business, a foundation that would shape his entire life.

Rollin graduated from Elkins High School, where he proudly served as the manager of the EHS Band. He was an industrious teen who pursued a love of photography, even building his own darkroom at home. He also traveled extensively with his family, exploring America by car and visiting Disneyland in California the year it opened. These adventures sparked his lifelong passion for road travel.

After attending college for two years in West Virginia, Rollin moved to Texas to complete his undergraduate degree, where he met the love of his life, Kathy. The two were married on August 8, 1964 in Houston, Texas. Rollin went on to earn an MBA from North Texas State University and began his professional career with Chrysler Corporation’s Executive Management Program in Detroit, Michigan. Their first child, Randall Clinton was born there in 1965, and the young family were soon posted to Dallas, Texas.

In 1971, Rollin returned to Elkins to work alongside his father at Bard Motors. While there, he and Kathy welcomed two more children, Elizabeth Joy in 1972, and Zechariah Angell in 1985. He also taught management courses at Davis & Elkins College, sharing his professional expertise with students.

Around the time that Bard Motors was sold in the late 1980s, Rollin transitioned to the car rental industry, taking a position with Snappy Car Rental in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He moved with the company as it was acquired by Thrifty, and later held management positions with Dollar Car Rental in Fort Worth, Texas.

Rollin’s passion for automobiles extended beyond his career. He was a dedicated auto racing fan and exchanged visits with Lee Petty and his family. He attended races in Indianapolis, Daytona, and his hometown of Elkins.

Upon retirement, Rollin fulfilled a lifelong dream to travel the country by motorhome, and he and Kathy made frequent trips to Oregon and Florida from the family base in Texas. His love of the open road, instilled in childhood, never faded.

Rollin’s devotion to his extended family was unwavering. He was a constant presence in the lives of his parents, sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, celebrating birthdays, graduations, and baptisms from Portland, Oregon to London, England. He made sure the people in his life knew they were loved and supported.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Louise Bard (nee Spelman); sisters, Janet Bard Hanson and Lynette Bard; his children, Randall Bard, Elizabeth Matthewson and Zechariah Bard; and his grandchildren, Catherine Bard, Emily Bard, Ruth Bard, Erica Matthewson, Dillon Matthewson, Harvey Bard and Helen Bard; as well as his many beloved nieces and nephews.

Rollin will be remembered for his deep Christian faith, tireless work ethic and enduring love for his family, near and far.

A visitation will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a funeral service at noon on April 5, 2025, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 4221 Boonville Road, Bryan, Texas. The service will be available to watch live at: blcbcs.org/streaming.