Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers

Biography

When Robert W. Roan Sr., also known as 'Bob' or 'RW', was peddling furniture and antiques from Pennsylvania to Florida and back he surely had no idea that his family would be carrying on the auction tradition three generations later. Bob and his wife Sylvia raised five sons and a daughter during their marriage which ended only when Bob passed away in 1969. Sylvia would survive him by 27 years. Each of their children at one time was involved in the auction business. ROAN Inc. is celebrating 70 years in a business that began with Bob buying and selling antiques and used furniture items. He and Sylvia had a shop on the site where the current auction hall sits today, but at one time had a store on Walnut Street in Williamsport. The family no longer operates a shop but sells at auction on a consignment basis. In 1963 Rich and Chuck bought the business from their father and incorporated it as Bob, Chuck & Rich Roan Inc. Chuck retired in 1989. Rich and his wife Kate have raised four sons and a daughter, all of whom have been part of the business with just three sons and their daughter still active. A granddaughter, Amanda, is a fourth generation member of the company. A few of the things Roan Inc. has been recognized for include selling more 'Severin Roesen' paintings than any other auction house; holding a record for the highest amount realized at auction for the 'Jonah & The Whale'on a pedestal mechanical bank; selling the home and contents of the Betty James Estate - she was the purveyor of the Slinky toy. Roan Inc. continues to hold 'specialty' auctions including lamps, coins and guns, as well as continuing the tradition of their Annual Pre-Memorial Day and Pre-Christmas Auctions.