Roland E. Casati, 91, Lake Forest, IL

Roland Everest Casati

August 15th, 1930 - June 14, 2022

Roland was born August 15th, 1930. His childhood was a world apart from his adult life. He was ten years old when he got his first bedroom. Previously his bed was the family room couch in a small apartment above the family’s candy store. When he turned eleven, he started working, changing tires and waxing cars, to help the household. He claimed this work built the muscles that gave him an advantage – always winning at arm wrestling. If you happen to have been challenged and defeated by Roland you are in good company as there was a time he challenged and beat ten Chicago Bears players in a row, including Ditka.

He went to college and ended up leaving to support himself and his future wife, Arlene Ankele. At that time an insurance adjuster would normally spend half the day inspecting and dealing with claimants and the other half writing up the claims. Though they had not yet married, Arlene and Roland were already a team. Roland reviewed insurance claims all day and Arlene did all the write-ups. This allowed him to complete twice the work, earn twice the money and exceed all expectations at the firm. They continued this way for years resulting in Roland being elected President of Heritage Insurance Co. of America.

After saving and finding the right partner Roland built his first office building in 1968. From there the rest is history. Armed with persistence, an incredible eye for design and a word as good as gold he built a real estate empire. Thirty years and ten developments later he joined three other developers and went public as the REIT, Prime Group Realty Trust. The crown jewel of which is in the heart of Chicago's financial district, One Financial Place. Roland chose the Iconic San Marco II Horse Statue that stands in the plaza. When the artist Ludovico de Luigi finished Roland flew to Italy and rode it as it floated down the canals of Venice all the way to the shipping yard. He gave the honor of riding it up the Chicago River to Ludovico. They remained friends until Roland’s passing.

Please consider for a moment the accomplished life of Roland. From sleeping on a couch above a candy store to developer of skyscrapers. The energy, the effort, the sleepless nights he paid to build an empire not in one moment but, brick by brick, building by building. Then consider that Roland applied this diligence to every endeavor in his life.

Roland had a lifelong love affair with golf. He played often, he played well, he played all over the world. As a member of over twenty clubs there were days where he would get up early, play a round in the morning at one club and then fly to play another round at another. His love for golf brought him many friends, wonderful days, travel and some additional successes. He was fortunate enough to be friends with Ely Callaway Jr. and ended up being his very first investor in Callaway Golf. Roland tells the story of that investment and the day Ely called him with joy. “Hey Roland, come on over, I have got to show you something!” Roland drove over and there, in Ely’s garage, were two gentlemen making some golf clubs. Ely grabbed one and handed it to Roland with a smile and a gleam in his eye, “What do you think?!” Swinging the club in Ely’s driveway; Roland replied, “I think it’s great!” They shook hands and Roland wrote Ely a check for the first $50,000 investment in Callaway Golf. Doubling down on his love for the sport, he was also one of the first investors in Adams Golf.

Unfortunately, Roland’s story, like so many, is not only of success and happiness. He had the impossible task of burying his son, his wife and a daughter. His son, Gregory, passed away when he was only 28. Followed by his wife, Arlene, in 2001 and years later his daughter, Lauralee. The sorrow that filled his heart from each of their passings was immense and all-encompassing. He took a step back from his business when his son passed and mostly retired after Arlene passed. But the night is darkest before the dawn.

Cora came into Roland’s life and lifted the veil of darkness. Cora and Roland married in 2003 and he couldn’t have been happier. They traveled the world together, made great friends, played golf and enjoyed life. Their love for each other was wonderful to behold and was a true gift. Before Cora, Roland really only wanted to go to the different clubs and see their usual friends. Cora opened his mind to life outside his usual routines and helped him see the world. She did learn golf (and got her first hole-in-one before him her first year playing). Friends, golf, dining, riding bikes and going to the movies became mainstays of their activities together. Cora’s consistent loyalty and support for Roland, especially in his twilight years, showed her true dedication, care and love.

Self-improvement was a constant theme of Roland’s life. He was always active, working out, reading books like Psycho Cybernetics, taking vitamins and jumping on his indoor trampoline. In 1971, he was the first person to put a health club in an office building and he was always trying to do things better than he did before. A life time of experience in self-improvement boiled down to two words, “Better Today”. This was his slogan for the last decade of his life and something he lived by every day. The constant striving to better himself was a relentless effort. It didn’t matter whether it was his golf game, strength training or his buildings – he always tried to find ways to do it better next time.

He loved Rum Raisin ice cream, steak, root beer and cigars.

He disliked procrastination, things not done the right way (aka his way) and liars.

Roland’s family meant everything to him. His homes were the center point of family holidays, especially Christmas. The whole family would gather together for Christmas cheer and a special Christmas dinner. Each time was a Classic Hallmark Day.

He was the: Beloved husband of Cora Casati (née Erskine) from 2003-2022 and the late Arlene M. Casati (née Ankele) from 1954-2001.

Father of Rolanda H. (Kevork M.) Derderian, Carleen C. Casati, the late Gregory L. Casati and the late Lauralee C. (Brandt T.) Pfeifer.

Dear Grandfather of Damon C. (Maxine Hyon) Troutman, Tiana E. (Ryan M.) Cove (née Derderian), Kevork Gregory (Miqui G. Crespo) Derderian, Andi L. Boyd, Allison C. (Blake K.) DuBois (née Pfeifer), Katelyn M. (Dylan M. Costelloe) Pfeifer, Lydia J. (Kevan M.) Kerns (née Boyd), Brandt E. Pfeifer and Colton T. Pfeifer

Joyfully the Great Grandfather of London N. Troutman, Kristi L. Rowe, Olivia M. Troutman, Mason M. Boyd, Isabelle H. Cove, Max D. Kerins, Axel W. Kerins, Charli F. Doris, Zeek E.E. Kerns, Serafina L. DuBois and Ethan A. Kerns.

A Visitation will be held from 4 pm – 8 pm on Wednesday, July 6 at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave., Lake Forest, IL. A Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 am on Thursday, July 7 at Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL. Info: Wenban Funeral Home (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com