Real-estate pioneer Rouda dies

Harley Rouda Sr., who turned a basement startup into central Ohio’s largest real-estate firm, died yesterday at age 83.

“We lost a tremendous friend to the real-estate industry,” said Jerry White, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker King Thompson, who knew Rouda for 40 years.

Rouda was born in Toronto and grew up in Dayton before moving to Columbus to attend Ohio State University.

Upon graduating, he joined the Ralph Greer real-estate agency for a few years before launching the Harley E. Rouda firm (later shortened to HER) in 1956.

“He started the firm on an old door resting on two sawhorses in the basement,” said his son, Harley Rouda Jr.

Although the company grew to be central Ohio’s largest, with more than 700 agents in 45 offices, Rouda retained his folksy style.

Westerville agent Jill Rudler recalled that she ran into Rouda a month after joining the firm in 1987, when HER had about 500 agents.

“I had met him once, but he called me by name. He knew who I was and where I was from,” Rudler said. “He was always so kind to speak with, to always make you feel like you were someone special.”& lt; /p>

Despite Rouda’s success, his son thinks his father may best be remembered for the HER cookbooks he produced and his homemade jam.

“He loved to make jam — strawberry, raspberry and peach jam,” said Rouda Jr. “He must have made 10,000 jars of jam in his lifetime,” giving them to customers and friends.

White recalled Rouda, who retired from day-to-day operations in 1998, as a fierce but honest competitor who changed the industry.

“He was really a pioneer,” White said. “He was instrumental in the Columbus Board of Realtors and in creating the Multiple Listing Service, which allowed all of us to become more efficient.”& lt; /p>

Rouda also pioneered the use of television marketing with a show he hosted in the 1980s.

An avid fisherman and tennis player, Rouda was also active in Upper Arlington civic affairs.

Throughout his career, Rouda was honored with dozens of awards including a lifetime achievement award from the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University and an induction into the Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame.

In 1991, he served in his industry’s highest post, chairman of the National Association of Realtors. He also served as president of the Ohio Association and the Columbus Board of Realtors.

Rouda is survived by his wife, Marlese; four children; and eight grandchildren.

Services were pending at the Schoedinger & Co. chapel, 1740 Zollinger Rd., in Upper Arlington.

jweiker@dispatch.com