Major General Rolf Emerson was Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander of the United Earth Forces during the Second Robotech War. Emerson, and his wife Laura, were made godparents to Dana Sterling and Bowie Grant who were left under his care while their parents joined the Robotech Expeditionary Force.
History[]
Background[]
Emerson at Alaska Base in 2006.
Not much is known about Rolf before the SDF-1 crashed on Earth other than he was part of the RDF and had served under Anatole Eli Leonard for a few years by 2004. It's unknown if Rolf was ever a member of the Anti-Unification League or just sympathetic to the movement but he was an accomplice to Anatole who supported the League to increase his power.
Emerson had submitted a plan to continue Project Valkyrie to Donald Hayes, which had been met with great success. (Robotech: From the Stars: Commitment)
As a LT Colonel, he was assigned to Alaska Base after the Armor-1 incident was resolved by Roy Fokker. Unknown to everyone, Emerson was part of Anatole Eli Leonard's conspiracy to control the RDF. (Robotech: From the Stars: Commitment)
After the First Robotech War[]
In early 2019, he was still part of the RDF. When the prototype UES Roy Fokker was launched, Emerson was in command. They deployed to support Pegasus Squadron in the Malcontent Uprisings. (Robotech: Rick Hunter 4)
By 2022, Emerson was a High Ranking Officer of the Southern Cross Army (ASC) before the SDF-3 departed from Earth. He was a good friend of Vince Grant, the brother of Claudia Grant, and after the SDF-3 departed with Vince and his wife, he agreed to take care of Dana and Bowie while their parents left Earth in search of the Robotech Masters on Tirol. (Robotech II: The Sentinels)
The Second Robotech War[]
Emerson was the Chief of Staff and Leader of the Southern Cross's fleet during the Second Robotech War. He led many skirmishes against the Robotech Masters, most of which resulted in retreats due to the Masters' superior technology. During this time, he had a troubled relationship with Bowie who thought of him as a cold and calculating man.
Emerson dies gripping the hand of his godson. (Masters Saga: The Invid Connection)
During the Masters's final assault on the Southern Cross, he was captured and taken prisoner alongside Marie and Dennis until the 15th Squadron arrived to rescue them. He died after taking a shot that was meant for Bowie. On his deathbed, he took the blame for the disputes between the pair — telling the Squadron to not make the same mistakes that the United Earth Government had. His final words were "Goodbye Bowie." (Masters Saga: The Invid Connection)
Alternate Universes[]
In one alternate universe, Rolf was one of the founders of the Galaxy Alliance, along with Donald Hayes, Roy Fokker, T. R. Edwards, Anatole Leonard, and many others. (Robotech/Voltron: 1)
Behind the scenes[]
Rolf Emerson's recent redesign for Robotech: Academy
During the Kickstarter for the TV series Robotech: Academy, great emphasis was put on the return of Rolf Emerson and Anatole Leonard to the series. One update, showing a design, promoted "ROLF EMERSON IS BACK." Designs showed a Macross-Saga-like coat and cap over his original uniform.
