Rockne Demler

Rockne was the baby of the family, the youngest of five. He grew up on a street filled with children, and loved to reminisce about having the run of the house (and control of the television) when his older siblings were at school. Many of his childhood and adolescent passions persisted into adulthood including his love for animals, classic cars, Zero bars, being outside, and his community.

After high school, Rockne attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin. He would later earn his Master’s Degree from Trinity University. He spent much of his career inspecting labs for the State of Texas, a job well-suited to his methodical manner and eye for precision.

More importantly (he would agree), he raised two daughters in Austin and enjoyed all his state and the surrounding geography had to offer. He skied, hiked, fished, hunted, biked, surfed and camped across much of the Southwest and loved to share his passion for the outdoors with his family and friends.

In 2010, Rockne (known to many as Rocky, Rock or, to the writer, Dad) decided to make a big change, he moved from his home of 25 years to Maui. He surfed every day for many of his years in Maui and enjoyed all the beauty his new home had to offer. He also met his wife Wenjie here and built an incredible community of friends and neighbors.

Rockne is preceded in death by his parents, Eleese and Edward Demler and his siblings, Edward Demler, Sandra (Demler) Reeves, Patricia (Demler) Hadden, and Roy Demler.

Rockne is survived by his wife, Wenjie Yang, his daughter, Carly Gordon and her husband, Kenny Gordon, his daughter, Kenyon Demler and her husband, William Winsett, as well as five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the nurses and staff at Hospice Maui. Memorial donations are welcome. They may be made at hospicemaui.org.