Dennis was born to Herman and Joy Rohde on March 1, 1946 in Bassett, Nebraska. At the age of three the Rohde children (David, Dennis, Richard and Roberta) moved with their parents to Worthington, Minnesota.
The boys were well known in the area, and not just because they were the son of a highly respected pastor, but because of their often times mischievous and rambunctious ways, which would lead to consequences, if they got caught…
When Dennis started 8th grade the family had moved to the Minneapolis area, in St. Louis Park. By that time older brother David had just received his driver’s license and a used 1950 Packard. As you could imagine, three young Rohde boys exploring a new city led to plenty of the stories we still laugh at today.
When the boys weren’t in church services or camps they could be found fishing, being outside or grounded. Dennis seemed to have a history of not taking crap from anyone, which resulted in Pastor Herman being summoned to high school on several occasions because of Dennis getting into fights. Unless of course the opponent was too small for Dennis, in which case younger brother Richard was anxious to take his place.
Despite Dennis’ somewhat wild side, he was a very determined and smart student and went on to college. Before joining the Mpls Police Department, he’d had some run-ins with the law, most notably, in the Ozark mountains with a small town sheriff named Buff Lamb. While the boys were down in the Ozarks visiting friends they decided to jump off a bridge to a river below. As they were having their fun an older lady stopped to tell them they shouldn’t be doing such things. We don’t know exactly the exchange of words but she left that bridge in a hurry and was not too pleased with their response. Several minutes later a police car came skidding to a sideways stop on the bridge. Apparently that lady’s husband was the local sheriff, and he wasn’t pleased.
Buff asked how the boys would like to spend a night inside his motel. When younger brother Richard replied, “Well I don’t know, what do you guys serve for breakfast?” he about lost it. He walked over and grabbed Richard and as he was putting him in the car, Dennis opened the other door and sat himself in the backseat next to his brother. That was Dennis, always ready and along for the ride.
While working for the Minneapolis PD and being part of their elite Tactical Squad, Dennis earned his BA from the University of Minnesota. After some time on MPD, Dennis applied for a job with LAPD and moved to Los Angeles. He also began studying to earn his Master’s degree in Criminology at Pepperdine University. Amazingly he worked nights as a police officer in some of the roughest areas and times in L.A.’s history, while simultaneously studying for a Master’s Degree and raising his first two daughters, Tami and Lara. After graduating Dennis taught night classes for a year at Moorpark College in hopes of one day becoming a teacher or professor. He wanted to help, teach and inspire the youth, however the love of police work and family put that on hold.
By the early 80’s after some on-the-job back injuries that would last the rest of his life, Dennis moved on from LAPD and started working his wife Sophia’s father. He operated the Lamplighter Restaurant in Chatsworth and did so until 1995 when he opened his first Baja Fresh with partners Greg and Gary Finefrock- life long friends.
By this time Dennis had three more children, Drew, Morgan and Alexa, and was a loving and dedicated father to them all.
During his time on earth, Dennis seemed to impress everyone he met with his quiet yet powerful presence. He was a kind and gentle man who loved to help people and would go out of his way to offer his hand to those who needed it. Above all else, Dennis was incredibly selfless. Everyone from his employees, to friends, family and strangers he met felt an unexplainable calm around him. He made people feel comfortable and important. Dennis was always there to ask about your day, what you ate for lunch or what you were up to and genuinely cared to hear what people had to say. What made time with Dennis even better was that his concern for others was truly without expectation. He would go out of his way to offer help or advice, or even listen without any concern of being repaid in any way. Dennis simply enjoyed helping others do better.
A Note to Dennis,
We would like to let you know, that everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you is better for it. Thank you so much for graciously spending so much time with us here and the many things you have taught us. You will always be loved, missed and remembered by those who love you. Our simple words are not enough to express the countless ways in which you have impacted our lives. Just know that every time we’re out for a bike ride, watching a Vikings game, eating a Baja Fresh burrito or simply enjoying the world around us, we will be doing so in your still, quiet company.
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