Cincinnati Enquirer;05 Mar 2005: 23.

Charles L. deRohan, 80, Aristocrat, Doted on Kids
Prince's Son Interned by Nazis
By Rebecca Goodman

Hyde Park: Charles L. deRohan, son of Prince and Princess Charles deRohan, members of what was once one o fthe 10 most powerful aristocratic families in France, died at his Hyde Park home Sunday. He was 80.

Originally from Brittany, the de Rohans received the title "Princes of Royal Blood," from their cousins the kings of France. They fled the country for Austria during the French Revolution. Mr. de Rohan was born in Czechoslovakia in 1924. His father--Prince deRohan--whose mother was English--was born in Britain, so Mr. de Rohan was a British national. He spoke seven languages.

His mother was Maria Anna von Hardtmuth, heiress to the Hardtmuth pencil empire. The Austrian family pioneered the ceramic-based graphite pencil more than 200 years ago. In 1890, the company marketed a new pencil called the Koh-I-Noor, which they painted bright yellow, inaugurating the tradition that continues to this day.

She married Prince Charles de Rohan in 1923. When the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia, Mr. de Rohan and one of his brothers were interned in a camp in Lauffen, Germany. Their father was imprisoned in concentration camps in Prague and Germany. The American Army liberated Mr. de Rohan in April 1945 and he joined the British Liberation Forces. After the war, the family's home and all of its propensities were seized by the Russians except for a small factory in Somerset, England, and on in Bloomsbury, NJ.

Mr. de Rohan moved to Bloomsbury in 1948 to run the pencil factory. It was sold and Mr. de Rohan was retired by the time he moved to Cincinnati. He later worked for First America Corp. and as vice-president in charge of finance and equipment leasing for Leasing Systems Co. Inc. He was also on the board of directors of HydroMet Environmental Recovery, Ltd.

"Charlie's greatest love was for people," siad his wife Virginia "Gini" de Rohan. "His warmth and charm were his defining characteristics. He had a special love for children, which he showed by reading regularly to young school children at Mariemont Elementary. He was never short of time to spend with his children and grandchildren. Whether there was a game to be played, a hurt to be kissed or a simple kind word to be shared, Charlie was always there."

Mr. de Rohan hunted at Sugar Hill, a gun club in Clermont County. "Charlie was indeed an excellent shot,: said his friend Dean Fite of Kenwood.

Mr. de Rohan also loved to cook the vegetables he grew in his garden and spend time at his cottage on Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan.

In addition to his wife of 30 years, survivors include: a daughter, Elizabeth de Rohan of Phillipsburg, NJ, tow sons, Raoul de Rohan of Coppell, Texas, Geoffery de Rohan of Knoxville, TN; two stepsons, Daivd Osborn of Terrace Park and Peter Osborn of Mariemont; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services are 9:30 am Monday at St. Rose Catholic Church, 2501 Eastern Ave. Burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials, St. Rose Church, 2501 Eastern Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45202

Interment Number:215832
Interment Date:03/07/2005

The Durrell Lot Family Memorial
Section 123, Lot 19

The Durrell Lot Marker
Section 123, Lot 19

Section 123