Former Garner Mayor Frederick Donald Rohrbaugh passed away early this morning at the age of 80. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000.

Donald had been a resident of North Carolina since 1948 and a resident of Garner since 1974. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a BS in Civil Engineering and was a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, retiring from the N.C. Department of Transportation with 34 years service.

Rohrbaugh was Garner’s mayor for five terms from 1991 to 2001. He worked on the Board of Alderman from 1983 to 1989. Before being elected in 1983 he served on the Planning Board. Donald was on the Garner Area School Advisory Council, and as Co-chairman of the Garner Centennial Committee. He was former chairman of the Wake County Transportation Advisory Committee, member of the I-40 High Occupancy Vehicle Policy Committee, member of the Board of Directors for the N.C. League of Municipalities and served on the Wake County Board of Adjustment.

Mr. Rohrbaugh was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, an active member of Saint Mary, Mother of the Church, Catholic Church and a 35-year member of the Garner Civitan Club.

Richard said it was clear that serving Wake County and Garner were among his father’s top priorities.

“He loved his family,” he said. “He loved public service.”

Donald was a devout Catholic as well.

“He had a great faith in the Lord,” Richard said of his father.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Don’s life was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 7 at Saint Mary, Mother of the Church, Catholic Church in Garner. Burial followed at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh.

Surviving are his loving wife of 59 years, Betty Hancock Rohrbaugh; son, Richard Rohrbaugh and wife, Susie of Cary; daughter, Cathy Penny and husband, Dean of Clayton and Mary Lib Perry and husband, Jerry of Raleigh; grandchildren, Nathaniel, Neil and Maddie Rohrbaugh, Matthew, Elizabeth and Michael Penny and Joshua and Mason Perry.

Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 6 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner with a prayer service beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the dedicated long-term medical care provided by the Cancer Centers of NC and the staff of the oncology floor at Rex Healthcare, whose compassion and care was a great comfort for Don and his family in the last week.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends spend time as volunteers in their community and loving time with their families during the upcoming holidays. Those who wish to do so and are able, are encouraged to make a donation to Saint Mary, Mother of the Church, Catholic Church Building Fund , 1008 Vandora Springs Road, Garner, NC 27529 or to the American Cancer Society, 8300 Health Parks, Ste. 10, Raleigh, NC 27615 or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences can be sent to bryan-leefuneralhome.com.