MANASSAS—Edgar Emerson “Chip” Rohr, 79, of Manassas passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on July 5, 1947, in Washington, D.C., Chip was raised in Manassas, where his family had deep roots in the community. The son of former Manassas Mayor Edgar Erwin Rohr and Walser Conner Rohr, Chip grew up surrounded by the history and traditions of the town he would spend much of his life serving.
Chip attended Randolph-Macon Academy and graduated from the University of Richmond in 1973 with a degree in physical education. A proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, he served a term as chapter president and maintained close friendships with his fraternity brothers throughout his life. More importantly, it was at the University of Richmond that he met Nancy Crenshaw, whom he married on July 28, 1973. Their marriage of more than 53 years would become the foundation of a life filled with family, friendships and shared adventures.
Chip’s coaching career began while he was still a student at the University of Richmond, when he established the soccer program at Benedictine High School, where he also coached wrestling and assisted with football. Following his graduation in 1973, Chip and Nancy settled in Petersburg and he accepted a teaching position at Tidewater Academy in Wakefield, where he established another soccer program and also served as an assistant football coach.
In 1977, following the birth of their first daughter, Ginger, Chip and Nancy returned to Manassas to raise their growing family. There, he began teaching and coaching at Osbourn High School, where he established the school’s soccer program and served for several years as an assistant wrestling coach. From 1979 to 1983, he also served as an assistant soccer coach at George Mason University. During those years, the family welcomed their second daughter, Carly.
A lifelong educator and coach, Chip continued his high school soccer coaching career at Brentsville District High School and later Northumberland High School. Over 35 years as a varsity head soccer coach, he led teams to numerous district and regional championships and state tournament appearances. His accomplishments earned him multiple Coach of the Year honors at the state and regional levels, and in 2010, he was inducted into the Virginia-D.C. Soccer Hall of Fame.
While his accomplishments on the field were considerable, Chip took particular pride in developing the next generation of coaches. Holding both a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National A License and an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Academy, he spent decades as an instructor with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association’s Coaching Education Staff, training and certifying hundreds of coaches who went on to work at the youth, high school, collegiate and professional levels.
Chip also helped establish some of Northern Virginia’s earliest soccer camps, including the Manassas Soccer Camp in 1976 and the Linton Hall Soccer Camp in 1978. The latter became the Chip Rohr Soccer Camp, where generations of young athletes developed their skills, made friendships and discovered a love for the game.
Beyond soccer, Chip was deeply committed to his hometown. In 1990, he left teaching to take over the family business, Rohr’s Store and Museum, carrying on a family tradition in Historic Downtown Manassas. He later became actively involved in downtown revitalization efforts, serving in leadership roles with the Old Town Business Association, Historic Manassas Inc., the Manassas Tourism Council and other community organizations.
A member of the first board of directors of Historic Manassas Inc., Chip remained a passionate advocate for Old Town throughout his life. He was known for his strong opinions, his willingness to get involved and his dedication to preserving the character and history of Manassas while helping the community grow. He was also a member of the Catlett, Calverton, Casanova Ruritan Club.
An avid hunter, fisherman and conservationist, Chip shared his love of the outdoors with Nancy. He was a Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Hunter Safety Instructor and a member of the Izaak Walton League of America, reflecting his commitment to responsible hunting and conservation. Together, Chip and Nancy devoted more than 25 years to the Prince William Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, serving as chapter chairs from 2005 to 2023 and as members of the Virginia State Council beginning in 2008. Under their leadership, the chapter helped conserve nearly 3,000 acres of wetlands and became one of the organization’s leading chapters in Virginia. In 2024, Chip and Nancy were jointly recognized as the Prince William Ducks Unlimited Conservationists of the Year, honoring their decades of dedication to wildlife and wetlands conservation.
Chip was also a longtime antique automobile enthusiast and a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), including its national organization, Bull Run Region and Shenandoah Region. He could often be found at local car shows proudly displaying his 1912 Buick. In later years, he and Nancy especially enjoyed participating in Glidden Tours, traveling together in their antique automobiles through the scenic roads and communities of the Northeast. Their shared love of historic cars brought them many memorable adventures and friendships.
When he wasn’t coaching soccer or serving his community, Chip was happiest at his second home in the Northern Neck, whether fishing from his boat on the Chesapeake Bay or sitting in a tree stand waiting for a whitetail buck. He loved Chesapeake oysters, classic rock and telling stories about the many concerts he attended over the years, from Richmond’s Mosque to the Hampton Coliseum. A fan of Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull and Commander Cody, he even named family dogs after his favorite musicians.
Above all, Chip loved his family. He and Nancy built a life together filled with family, friends and shared interests. He was immensely proud of his daughters and took particular joy in being a grandfather to Renn. Whether kicking a soccer ball around, talking about trees and squirrels, or riding together in the golf cart at the river house, Chip loved sharing his knowledge, interests, and enthusiasm with his grandson.
Larger than life, quick with a story or a joke, and never shy about sharing his opinion, Chip left a lasting impression on the people he met. His influence can be found in the generations of soccer players and coaches he mentored, the community he helped shape, the conservation efforts he championed and the many friendships he built throughout his life.
Chip was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Erwin and Walser Conner Rohr; and his brother, Renn Conner Rohr.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Crenshaw Rohr; his daughters, Ginger Acosta (Jesus) and Carly Rohr (David Crummett); his favorite grandson, Renn Conner Acosta; and many cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Chip’s life at Baker-Post Funeral Home on Nokesville Road in Manassas. Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Sunday, November 15. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 16, followed by a private burial. A reception will be held from 1-4 p.m. Monday, November 16, at ARTFactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Chip’s honor to Virginia Ducks Unlimited, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, or the Catlett, Calverton, Casanova Ruritan Club.
