Roland A. Kline, one of the first openly gay real estate agents in Chicago, died Sept. 13. He had been fighting Parkinson ‘s disease and colon cancer, and was in hospice at the Riley Home in Munster, Indiana. Kline was 74.
“His passion was antique cars; he had quite a collection at one time and really enjoyed sharing them with people. Even if a stranger stopped him on the street to talk about his cars, he’d be happy to take them for a ride,” said Chuck Erhart, of Hammond, who was friends with Kline for 20 years.
Kline had about 20 vintage cars during his life, including a 1940 LaSalle. His favorites were a pair of 1956 Packard Executives.
Erhart said Kline “really enjoyed the [real estate] business,” and noted that Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood was his main territory, including condos, single-family homes and multi units. “He was a good seller,” Erhart said.
Kline was born in Oak Lawn and grew up on the south side of Chicago. He lived in several places on the north side before retiring about 10 years ago in Hammond.
“He was a regular guy, really open and friendly,” said Erhart, 57.