Dealer Who Bought Guru’s Car Fleet Dies

Bob Roethlisberger, an automobile dealer who paid more than $5 million in cash for the 85 Rolls-Royces formerly owned by the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, died Wednesday of cancer at a hospital here. He was 40.

Roethlisberger, a co-owner of European Auto Group, purchased the 85 Rolls-Royces in November from the guru’s Oregon commune.

A dozen trucks struggled through heavy snow to pick up the cars at Rajneeshpuram, the Oregon commune, for their journey to Texas at a cost of $200,000.

Roethlisberger at first planned to sell the cars at an auction in February, but later changed plans due to what he termed heavy demand for individual sales.

Forty-three have thus far been sold at prices ranging from $65,000 to $100,000.

Rajneesh, who pleaded guilty to immigration fraud charges, was forced to leave the country shortly before the transaction.