First Lieutenant Robert Lester Rohlfing, (1920-1993) was born in Fisher, Illinois on January 21, 1920. Upon graduation from Fisher High School in 1936 he enrolled in College at the University of Illinois where he studied Education.   Bob started his teaching career at Seaton High School as the first and only Vo-Ag teacher. He married Mary Allen in Fisher on June 29, 1941. After teaching two years he joined the Army and attended basic training in June 1942 and was accepted  to the Aviation Cadet Training program in November 1942.

He began Primary Flight Training at the Rankin Aeronautical Academy (Rankin Field) in Tulare, California in February 1943. Rankin Field became one of the 62 civilian-owned flying schools in the U.S. that taught 1.4 million World War II Army pilots to fly. Basic flying skills were taught in the PT-17 Stearman at Rankin. He completed Primary on the 12 April 1943 and it was on to Basic and Advanced Flight Training at Marfa Army Airfield in Marfa, Texas. During Basic, Bob learned formation flight, instruments and aerial navigation skills. During advanced, the Cadets were broken into single-engine and Multi-engine categories. (Roy was multi-engine) Single engine Cadets would go on to fly fighters, and multi-engine Cadets became bomber or transport pilots. Bob flew the BT-13A trainer. He received the silver wings of the United States Army Air Force in Class 43-H from Marfa, Texas [See the  graduation Dance announcement] [invitation card] [see graduation announcement] & from flight school on August 30, 1943 [see the orders] along with several other members of the Second Emergency Rescue Squadron. Hugh Pennington, Bill Holbrook, Larry Bormann, John Denison, John Dickinson, Denzil Kathman, Harry Remington, Frank Rauschkolb, Leroy Nelson, Don Dixon and Jim Scott were graduates of this class.

On the 14 September 1943 Frank then transferred to Selman Field in Monroe, Louisiana to begin his navigation training. [orders] In early October 1943 the group was transferred to Penscacola Naval Air Station, Florida to begin the approximate 6 week transition into the PBY-5A "Catalina." [orders] Upon completing the required Navy syllabus the men would also received the gold wings of a Naval Aviator. Bob and other 2nd ERS members were transferred to Gulfport Field, Mississippi and eventually Keesler Field, Biloxie, Mississippi to complete the Air Sea Rescue Training required by the USAAF. Once complete, the Second Emergency moved to California to begin the transition to the Pacific Theater to join the war effort. In July 1944 Bob was sent to the South Pacific with the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron. Before returning home he was stationed from Australia to the Philippines. Bob had a memorable mission in a C-47 on 17 April 1945 [Mission Report] when he and his crew had to ditch the then brand new airplane in the treacherous waters off Biak Island. Read his co-pilot, Warner Britton's story of what happened that fateful night. Upon return to the United States, Bob and Mary moved to Paxton, Illinois in August 1945.   He signed a contract to teach Vocational Agriculture at the Paxton High School. Bob also served 21 months in service during the Korean conflict after being recalled to active duty.

The Rohlfing’s have four children: Robert Allen, Kenneth Edward, Carol Ann and David Ray. Bob received his MA degree in 1951 and his Advanced Certificate in 1968.  After 35 years of teaching, he retired in 1975.  While at Paxton he had a very active Future Farmers of America chapter.  During this time many students received the State Farmer Degree.   In 1968 Bob was awarded the Honorary State Farmer Degree and in 1972 the Honorary American Farmer Degree. Following retirement, he was associated with the Weaver-Niewold-Rohlfing real estate firm for several years.  Bob also taught at the area Parkland Junior College for several years.  He served on the County Board for six years as well as worked in the District Office of Education.

Bob and Mary were active in the Paxton United Methodist Church and spend their leisure time traveling. Bob passed away on 22 October 1993 at age 73 in Paxton, Illinois.  His wife, Mary, passed away 11 March 2013.

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