LOS ANGELES – Memorial services will be held on Sunday in Fallbrook for two-time Cal State L.A. track and field All-American Taras Rohde, who died unexpectedly in Phoenix on July 10 at the age of 29.
Rohde earned All-America honors for the Golden Eagles twice in the shot put during a splendid three-year career. He is tied for second on the Cal State L.A. all-time list in the shot put with a throw of 61-8. He was the California Collegiate Athletic Association champion in the shot put in 2000 and was second in that event in 2002. He placed seventh in the nation in 2000 and 2002.
His 61-8 throw in 2002 was the No. 1 mark in Division II that season.
In his Cal State L.A. career, he earned three All-Conference honors and two All-America awards.
Two of Rohde’s three sisters – Jinna Rohde and Maija Rohde – also competed in track and field at Cal State L.A.
Taras Rohde completed his collegiate career at Division I Boise State, where he earned Western Athletic Conference scholar-athlete awards and received his bachelor’s degree in business in 2003. Following graduation, he pursued a career in marketing and sales. He had also recently worked as a volunteer throwing coach at Northern Arizona University for his former coach at Cal State L.A., Mo Saatara.
Rohde came to Cal State L.A. from Fallbrook High School, where he ran four years of cross country in addition to throwing the shot put and discus.
He is survived by his parents, Steve and Marjaana Rohde, his grandfather, Carl Rohde and sisters, Sharon Rohde, Jinna Rohde, Maija Rohde Hitchings and Leila Rohde.
The services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 1405 East Fallbrook Street in Fallbrook, CA, 92028. Church phone is (760) 728-8288.