Henry Thomas "Pappy" Rowland, Jr.

Henry Thomas Rowland, Jr age 95 of Louisville, Kentucky passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday December 7, 2025.

Like many young men growing up in the World War II era, Henry was eager to get off the family farm and help the country, while getting a chance to expand his horizons. He enlisted in the Navy as soon as possible at the age of 17 in 1947. He said he chose the Navy because, when servicemen from the different armed services visited his high school, the Navy service members always looked the sharpest in their uniforms.

Acquiring the resourceful, hands-on knack for fixing mechanical and electrical equipment that only farmers develop, as well as having a good mathematical mind, Henry was selected for the fire control technician career path. This was before electronics-based digital computers and computer programs existed, and the performance of Navy weapon systems was heavily dependent on the skill of the technician maintaining and operating the intricate analog hardware computing systems in use at that time.

Supported by his wife Patricia, he rose through the ranks through hard work and self-education, Henry made E9, as a Fire Control Technician Master Chief, the highest ranking in the enlisted ranks at the unusually young age of 32 years old. This reflected his talent, drive and ability to maintain, repair and operate ship’s gun weapon systems, keeping them at their highest levels of readiness. As a young sailor, Henry admired the seasoned chiefs that he worked with, who he said could take parts from equipment that had been taken apart and scattered on a tabletop, and then reassemble the equipment blindfolded. This reflected his idea that such capable sailors were a cornerstone of what made the US Navy the best in the world, and the model for young technicians to strive to become.

Henry’s at-sea service included the USS Myles C Fox DDR-829, USS Delta AR-9, and USS Prichett DD-561. Notable operations occurring while on these ships include patrolling the Taiwan Strait during communist China aggression against Formosa (now Taiwan) and the Bay of Pigs operation in Cuba.

Near the end of his active duty service, Henry was assigned to various Mobile Technical Units, or MOTU, providing technical support to ships with problems that were too complex to be repaired by the ship itself. He enjoyed the field service and the variety of technical challenges that came with this line work and, upon retirement from the Navy, determined to pursue this line of work as a civilian. Henry retired from the Navy in 1967.

In 1968, he was assigned to the Avondale Shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana, to support the installation and testing of ordnance equipment on the Knox class frigates. This assignment ended in 1972 and Henry moved to Louisville. He was assigned to work in the field service engineering support activity at the Naval Ordnance Station, where he enjoyed working as part of a team of talented technicians. Henry was a nationally recognized fire control system technician. During the reactivation of the Battleships during Desert Storm, Henry was one of the only technicians in the country that could repair the Main Battery 16” Gun Fire Control Computer Equipment. In addition, Henry played an important role in introducing modern digital computer-based weapons systems into the fleet. This involved working with the digital MK 68 Gun Fire Control System upgrade team. Henry’s contributions helped mold initial-approach engineering designs into practical working implementations. Henry spent many weeks at sea testing and adjusting the system on the USS Adams. Henry traveled widely both nationally and internationally for work. Henry retired from the Naval Ordinance Station in 1992 after 46 years of cumulative professional military and civilian service.

The focus and drive he demonstrated during his years of service carried seamlessly into his personal life, where his steadfast devotion to family and friends defined who he was. He worked every day to make life better for those around him. Whether helping a grandchild take first steps, arriving at his daughter’s house at “Pappy time” (5:30 AM) to let the dogs out, getting kids ready for school, or showing up early for carpool, practices, and games, he was always there. He coached little league teams, helped his daughter launch her dance and tumbling studio and supported it daily for 15 years, tended to the educational needs of his family, and handled countless repairs for relatives and neighbors. Anyone within a mile radius risked receiving Pappy’s signature, impeccable lawn care. Always doing something for someone, he remained humble-he simply wanted to help. He had few indulgences but he was a devoted football fan who never missed a game, and he proudly cheered for the Saints even when everyone else wasn't.

The family would like to acknowledge Henry’s neighbors for their kindness and help the last few years, checking in with him often, and even helping in searches for his escape artist dog Charlie.

Henry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia; his daughter Diane; his parents Henry Sr. and Anna Lee; his siblings, Elizabeth, Phyllis, and Charles; and his loyal dog Lilly.

Henry is survived by his children, Barbara Moss (Mark), Henry Thomas Rowland III (Nancy), Tammy Reddington, and Jeff Rowland (Teresa); his grandchildren, Kim, Ashlee, Sean, Michael, Parker, Emily, Holly, Will, Tori, Zach, and Jake; eight great-grandchildren; and his beloved dogs Charlie and Penny; and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be from 10am to 12pm on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions – East Louisville Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville Kentucky 40243 . A celebration of Henry’s/Pappy’s life will be 12pm on Thursday at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, 2501 N. Dixie Blvd, Radcliff, Ky, 40160.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, https://www.svdplou.org/donate-now.

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