In Memoriam: Harley E. Rouda Sr. (Feb. 25, 1929 - June 28, 2012)
Harley, who served as president at all levels of the REALTOR organization throughout his distinguished career -- Columbus Board (1969), Ohio Association (1986) and National Association (1991), passed away in his Central Ohio home in the company of friends and family today, June 28, 2012.
An avid fisherman, tennis player and joke teller, Harley was beloved by all who knew him. Thousands of people had the chance to enjoy a jar of his homemade jam and the famous HER Cookbooks are found in homes throughout Central Ohio and beyond. Whether hosting a television show, leading a sales rally or hugging one of his eight grandchildren, Harley's warmth, loyalty and passion inspired young and old. He will be forever missed and remembered.
Memorial announcements will be forthcoming from the immediate family.
Harley was recognized nationally and internationally as one of the pioneers and innovators of the real estate industry, and embodied the true entrepreneurial spirit. His company was started 1956 in the basement of his Upper Arlington, Ohio, home and it quickly grew to become the number one company in the region by 1964. In addition to his service as President of CBR, OAR and NAR, Harley's other accomplishments and awards include, among others:
- Board of Directors and Executive Committee of NAR
- Past President of Asian-Pacific/APREF Council Committee (International Real Estate) (1991)
- Columbus "REALTOR of the Year" recipient (1975)
- A member of the 1992 Board of Consultants to the city of Columbus for the Columbus Board of REALTORS
- 1991 Honorary National President of Habitat International
- Past Vice Chairman of The Realty Alliance
- Being appointed by the Governor of Ohio to serve on the 1994 Committee on Funding the Housing Trust Fund
- Recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award from Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University
- Recipient of the W. Arthur Cullman 2000 Business Award from the Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce
- First president of the Upper Arlington Civitan Club
- Elected to the Board of Directors of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce in 1994, and in 1996 served as its Membership Chairman
- Appointed to a second term on the Advisory Council to the President of The Ohio State University, representing OSU's Fisher College of Business
- Upper Arlington, Ohio Citizen of the Year
- Building Industry Association of Central Ohio Outstanding Citizen of the Year
- Laureate for the Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame
- A Finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year in Central Ohio
- First recipient of the Distinguished Entrepreneurial Lecturer Award from the Ohio State University Faculty Club
- Recipient of the “THE†(The Highest Effort) Award from Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
- Recipient of Medallion of Service from Omega Tau Rho
- Grand Marshall of the Upper Arlington 4th of July Parade
- Served on the development committee for First Community Church, the executive committee for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of the real estate division for United Way. Served as chairman of the 25th Year OSU Alumni Reunion and as co-chairman of the Upper Arlington School Bond Levy, which at the time was the first local levy to be passed in 12 years. Served as a member of the Fannie Mae National Advisory Council and as a Trustee of the Arthur James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute.
Rouda has been a teacher of GRI Real Estate courses and has been the guest lecturer at many state and local conventions and for various company employee relocation projects. He firmly believes that education is vital to the real estate profession and, toward that end, has established a scholarship fund at Ohio State University. Through his efforts, Central Ohio graduating seniors are awarded scholarships each year by Real Living HER.
