Douglas A. Rockenbach, a lifelong resident of Grayslake and owner of a namesake Chevrolet dealership in that town for more than 50 years, died Aug. 4. He was 96.

Mr. Rockenbach graduated in 1943 from Warren Township High School in Gurnee and was drafted by the Army, seeing World War II action in North Africa, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany.

He was active in community organizations, including as chairman and a board member of the Lake County Easter Seal Society and as commander of Grayslake American Legion Post 659. He owned Rockenbach Chevrolet, founded in 1925.

Industry achievements include a nomination for the Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year; four-time General Motors Dealer of the year; chairman of the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association; and president of the Chicago and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers Advertising Association. One highlight of Mr. Rockenbach’s time as president of the ad association was signing Michael Jordan to his first contract as a spokesman for the Chevy dealers. He was in studio during Jordan’s first commercial shoot.

Survivors include a son, Gregg; a daughter, Gail; one granddaughter and three great-grandsons. His wife, Bonnie, and another son, Gary, preceded him in death. Memorial donations appreciated to the Grayslake Historical Society or to A Cure in Sight, an organization that supports the ocular melanoma community.