“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Desmond Tutu

Rolfe “Rolf” Kolconay, age 84, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026…Valentine's Day when we honor love. He was a loving father, devoted friend and lifelong gardener. He never met a stranger and found joy in connecting human-to-human with every person he encountered.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois to Florence Schuckmell Kolconay and Kalman Kolconay. He was preceded in death by his twin sister, Rita Beverage, and his older brother, Ken Kolconay.

Rolf spent his professional life ranging from a golf course caddy and Chicago taxi driver in his younger years, to proudly working as an advertising account executive and finally to pursue his passion as a Master Gardener in his retirement. “Gotta go talk to the plants!” was a common phrase as he would depart the human world and connect with the plant world.

Rolf shared meaningful chapters of his life in marriage with Dianne and Carolyn, and later in partnership with Wendy.

He is survived by his daughters, Brooke Bryand (Dave) and Lindsay Rynearson (Jon); and his beloved grandchildren, Lily and Cal Bryand, and Ella and Riggs Rynearson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 20th at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Rolf with a contribution (time, talent or treasure) to the JC Raulston Arboretum or Charleston Horticulture Society.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

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