Darrel L. Rolph

Rolph, Darrel L., 74, owner of Sasnak Management Corporation, co-founder with his brother David of the 41 unit Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican Restaurant chain and Apple Corps, LP, operator of 25 Applebee's units, passed away November 18th. Darrel was born on a farm near Miltonvale, Kansas on May 12, 1937, graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1955 and Fort Hays State College in 1962. He taught school and coached wrestling and track in Great Bend for three years before receiving a Masters Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1965. He became a Pizza Hut franchisee in Iowa and Illinois in 1966. After Pizza Hut, Inc. went public in 1968, he served as Eastern Regional Manager and then National Director of Operations before returning to the franchise ranks in 1972. As a franchisee, he became the first Chairman of the International Pizza Hut Franchise Holders' Association and was later inducted into the Pizza Hut Hall of Fame. Coaching was one of Darrel's many joys and he invested his talent in his family's activities. He coached for the Wichita Wrestling Club and the Wichita 49ers girls' soccer team that won the AAU Championship in 1987. He also played a pivotal role in establishing girls' soccer in Wichita area high schools. Darrel's interests extended to the professional sporting level as well. He was a co-owner of the Wichita Wings soccer team and owner of the Wichita Wranglers rodeo team. Over the years Darrel contributed his time, finances and expertise to many local charities. He was directly involved in supporting and sustaining many endowment funds including the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland and Trees for Life. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fort Hays State Endowment Association. Darrel was a lifelong outdoorsman with a passion for the conservation of land and wildlife. He was an avid and accomplished fisherman and he and his wife Dee fished all over the world. Darrel, along with his son Cody, was the principal owner of the Big Horn River Lodge in Montana. He also owned and operated Diamond R Ranch near Fall River. Darrel is survived by Dee, his wife of 49 years, daughters Debbie Green (Jay) of Overland Park, Dawn Peterson (Brent) of Olathe and his son Cody Rolph (Meg) of Desoto along with five grandchildren, Lindsay and Emma Green, Josie and Blake Peterson, and Tegan Rolph. Viewing will be 1 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at Broadway Mortuary Chapel. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Memorials have been established at Trees for Life and the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. Share online condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.