Rolf C. Margenau, 90, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at his home Feb. 13, 2025. Born Dec. 13, 1934, and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Rolf served his country as a sergeant in the Korean War, working as a writer and photographer for the Stars and Stripes. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale University in 1956 and his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1962. His career practicing international corporate law spanned some 30 years, predominantly with J.M. Huber Corp, and provided him a path to feed his passion for traveling the world.
In 1956, Rolf married the love of his life Nancy McKinster. They started their lives together in Connecticut, eventually settling in Rumson where they raised their three daughters and enjoyed the company of dear friends. While in Rumson, Rolf and Nancy dedicated their energies to building HABcore Inc. from a fledgling nonprofit serving the area’s homeless to the successful institution it is today. Rolf considered his involvement with HABcore to be his proudest professional accomplishment.
In Rumson, Rolf also honed his gardening skills (neighbors dubbed him Farmer Rolf), started Frogworks International, a small business selling custom, aftermarket car antennas, and indulged his love of antique cars by rehabbing a 1930 Dodge DC8 Touring Coupe and 1926 Pierce Arrow. Rolf could often be found in his basement woodshop, where he lovingly crafted dozens of pieces of furniture for the family home and his daughters.
Later in life, Rolf and Nancy retired to Tewksbury and ultimately to Bethlehem. In those locales, Rolf pursued writing and authored six novels and two photography books. He and Nancy traveled throughout their life together, tallying up adventures to more than 100 countries – often accompanied by friends and family – and amassing an enormous collection of frog mementos.
Storyteller. Photographer. World Traveler. Master Gardener. Author. Entrepreneur. Antique Car Enthusiast. Lawyer. Philanthropist. Singer. Woodworker. Mentor. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Movie Buff. Theater Aficionado. Dog Lover. Friend. These are all terms that describe Rolf. And he undertook all of them with a sense of curiosity, humor and adventure that was infectious.
Rolf is survived – and missed immensely – by his wife of 69 years, Nancy McKinster Margenau; their daughters, Lisa Canepa, Ahni (Tom) Kruger and Cory Fausz; four grandsons, Eugene, Wesley, Patrick and Jacob; three great-grandsons; and his two furry companions, Luci and Dingo. He is preceded in death by his father Henry, mother Liesel, sister AnnaMarie and brother Henry.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to HABcore Inc, honoring Rolf’s legacy.
The article originally appeared in the March 6 – 12, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
