Robert Thomas Rowland

1916 - 2015

Rowland, Robert Thomas 07/31/1916 ~ 02/08/2015 SAN DIEGO -- Dr. Robert T. Rowland passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015. Robert was born July 31, 1916, in Houston, Minnesota, to Arthur and Sigrid (Sarah) Rowland. He and his twin sister Ruth were born prematurely at home and kept warm in the oven to survive. He went from youthful helper in his father's hardware store and Eagle Scout to Undergraduate at the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN in 1937. He graduated with a degree from The University of Minnesota Medical School in 1941. He practiced internal medicine for more than 35 years in San Diego. During his years as a physician, Dr. Rowland served as: Chief of Department of Medicine, San Diego County General Hospital, 1950; Chief of Staff, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, San Diego, 1970; Board Member, Blue Shield of California, 1973-79; Board Member, United Foundation for Medical Care, 1973-77; President, San Diego Foundation for Medical Care, 1976-77; Chairman, Physicians Benevolence Fund Committee, Californa Medical Association, 1976-80; and many other professional and and charitable endeavors. As a devoted Catholic he provided care and physician services to the Sisters at The Carmelite Monastery for many years. Serving as a flight surgeon during World War II, he broke his back in a plane crash and spent six months in a hospital. That did not keep him from becoming an avid golfer later on, scoring his first hole-in-one at age 80. Dr. Rowland's gracious and gentle manner will always be remembered by those who knew him, and forever appreciated by his family and the many patients he cared for so well. Robert was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathryn Egan of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, his second wife, Ruth, and his twin sister Ruth and brother John. He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Alfrey, and son-in-law Kenneth Alfrey, two step-grandsons, Joseph Alfrey (Devonee) and Jason Alfrey (Julie), as well as two step great- grandsons, and many loving nieces and nephews. A Mass of Intention will be said for Robert at the Carmelite Monastery Chapel in San Diego, March 8, 2015 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Father Joe's Villages, 3350 E. Street, SD, 92102 or The Carmelite Monastery of San Diego, 5158 Hawley Blvd., SD 92116.