Abilene Machine Founder Randy Roelofsen Remembered for Building Business, Family Legacy

The family of Randy John Roelofsen, founder of Abilene Machine, is remembering him as a man who built more than a business.

In a statement shared by Abilene Machine, the Roelofsen family announced that Randy died this past Saturday.

“He built more than a business — he built a family,” the family wrote.

Abilene Machine, based near Abilene and Solomon, has grown into one of the region’s most recognized agricultural parts companies. The company traces its roots to the early 1980s, when Randy Roelofsen and Loren Engel expanded their trading operation into a salvage yard business focused on buying and selling used farm equipment. Randy’s nephew, Todd Roelofsen, joined the business shortly after.

According to Abilene Machine’s company history, Randy started by dismantling old farm machines in a one-car garage and selling the used parts at a time when many farmers were struggling with the high cost of equipment. That work eventually grew into a company serving farmers across Kansas and beyond.

The company officially became Abilene Machine Inc. in 1989 and 1990 and reached 50 employees during that period. Over time, the business expanded from used farm equipment parts into new, used and remanufactured agricultural replacement parts.

Today, Abilene Machine sells parts for tractors, combines, loaders and other farm and ranch equipment. The company describes its work as helping keep America’s farmers going through used, new and remanufactured parts.

But in the family’s statement, Randy’s legacy was measured less by company milestones and more by the values he carried into the business.

“From the very beginning, he believed that success came from showing up, working hard, and treating people right,” the family wrote.

The family said Randy often emphasized that family at Abilene Machine was not limited to blood relatives, but included the people who came to work each day and took pride in the job.

“Those values are the foundation of who we are as a company today,” the statement said.

The Roelofsen family said what began as a small Kansas operation grew into something much larger, but Randy never lost sight of what mattered most: the people, the customers and doing things the right way.

“We’re proud to carry that legacy forward,” the family wrote.

The family also thanked those who have reached out with support following Randy’s death.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support. It means more than we can express,” the statement said.