Rohulamin Quander, a family historian, enthusiastic member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and native Washingtonian, died on Aug. 16 at the age of 81, due to natural causes, according to his wife, Carmen Torruella-Quander.
“He was a wonderful, kind man,” Carmen Torruella-Quander told The Informer. “He was a gentle, patient man. He was always a gentleman and was a 60-year member of Omega Psi Phi.”
A retired judge, Quander was known nationally as the historian of his legendary family, whose legacy can be traced back to the 1670s.
The Quander family includes members who were enslaved at Mount Vernon Plantation in Mount Vernon, Virginia under George Washington— who became the first U.S. president— and a founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
A celebration of Quander’s life will be held Sept. 6 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Northwest, with the viewing of the body from 10 a.m.-noon and the service occurring from noon-2 p.m.
“We were married for 48 years but had 75 years of friendship,” she said. “He respected my Dominican culture. The one thing I will always remember about him is that he never tried to change me, and therefore I did not try to change him.”
The Life and Legacy of Rohulman Quander
Quander was a native of the District and met his wife when they were toddlers at a birthday party, when he was 6 years old and she was 5. They bonded and soon afterwards were among the four Black children who integrated Sacred Heart School in September 1950.
“My husband was a staunch Catholic,” Torruella-Quander said. “After we attended Sacred Heart, we ended up at St. Augustine. Through the years, even though we regularly attended services at St. Augustine, we would sometimes go to Sacred Heart.”
Former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt remembered Quander’s early life and his legacy.
“I have known him since junior high school,” Pratt, 81, told The Informer. “I would see him at house parties. He was a fun guy. When I heard that he died, that felt like such a blow. He meant so much to so many for elevating the narrative of African descent.”
Both Quander and Pratt attended Howard University and the Howard University School of Law, with the former mayor one year behind him at both schools.
Quander would use his legal training to become an administrative law judge in the District, later taking on senior status.
He further achieved notoriety as a historian of his huge family. He is descended from Washington-owned slaves Sukey Bay, Nancy Carter Quander and West Ford.
Quander was also a founder of the League of Enslaved Mount Vernon Descendants, an organization that gathers, tells, shares, and preserves the stories of the formerly enslaved ancestors and free people of color who served the George Washington family at the Mount Vernon Plantation.
“That was a main interest of Rohulmin,” said William Marshall, 66, a communications professional in the District, who was Quander’s longtime friend and a fellow Omega man. “He spent a lot of time at George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon. The history there was fascinating to him.”
The historian is also directly related to Nellie Quander, a founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha, in which he penned a book on her life: “Nellie Quander, An Alpha Kappa Alpha Pearl: The Story of the Woman Who Saved an International Organization.”
Other books by Quander are: “The Quanders: Since 1684, An Enduring African American Legacy,” “50-Plus Omega Inspired Years: Tracing an Omega Legacy to 1931,” and “The Quander Quality: The True Story of a Trailblazing Diabetic.”
In addition to writing books, Quander has served as an advisor to Mount Vernon, and of late, its exhibit “Lives Bound Together, Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.” In 1985, he founded the Quander Historical and Educational Society, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to document, preserve, protect, and share his family’s history as an educational tool.
Additionally, Quander served as a licensed tour guide in the District and spoke to various groups about his family’s history.
Sylvia Cyrus, executive director of the Association for the Study of American Life and History (ASLAH), said Quander was a respected member of the association.
Cyrus said that ASLAH will honor Quander at its next Black History Month luncheon that will take place on February 28, 2026 at the JW Marriott in Northwest.
“He was a life member,” she said. “He wrote and studied family history and fraternity history. He worked closely with our annual Black History Month luncheon. He will be sorely missed by the members of the association. His loss is a shock.”
Having “Rahul” as a friend at Sacred Heart has to this day been a huge influence in my life. It’s as though he was always here, listening, conversing. Rest in peace, friend.
Mr. Quander was our Black History Month speaker this past February at 2nd Mt. Olive Baptist in Hamilton, VA. He gave an excellent and informative presentation. As impressed as I was about his professionalism, I was equally impressed by the youthful delight that was evident between he and his wife, Carmen. I remember how he just smiled softly as she told me their love story. I instantly liked them both. I will forever be greatful for the hand-written, mailed letter of encouragement he sent my grandson just a couple of days after the Black History presentation. What class! What a true historian we have lost. My sincere condolences to his beloved Carmen! I will cherish his book, The Quanders.
What a great Man!! My sincere condolences to Carmen and the family. My Fraternity Brother and mentor he was an inspiration, rest in peace Brother…. God bless his wife and family