REV. DAVID ANDERSON ROWAND

REV. DAVID ANDERSON ROWAND, 94
Minister

LAKELAND - Reverend David Anderson Rowand, born June 12, 1919 in Fairmont, West Virginia went to be with the Lord following a heart attack on January 2, 2014. David was the younger of two sons born to Edward Clement and Ruth McDonald Anderson Rowand. He was preceded in death by his older brother E.C. Jr. He is survived by Eleanor Ruth, his wife of 65 years, daughter Deborah Sue and son-in law Kurt Frederick Froehlich of Atlanta.
Rev. Rowand was a member of Tau Beta Iota Fraternity, lettered as a lineman on his college football team, served on the Debate Team and graduated from Fairmont State College in 1941. He coached and taught science at the Fairmont East Park Elementary School.
During World War II, David enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served as Quartermaster second class aboard the U.S.C.G Cutter Galatea submarine patrol convoy escort in the Atlantic. He also served on the USS Sheliak AKA 62 in the Pacific Battle of Okinawa earning one Battle Star. He was discharged in 1945 receiving an Honorable Discharge, Good Conduct Ribbon, Sharpshooter patch and Atlantic and Pacific Theatre Ribbons.
He was called to the Christian Church Disciples of Christ ministry, ordained in 1946. Rev. Rowand sang in the Battell Chapel Choir and graduated from Yale University Divinity School in 1949. He began his ministry in Westfield and Troy Vermont and became Associate Minister at the National City Christian Church in Washington D.C. He served as Senior Pastor at the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and Boyd Memorial Christian Church in Charleston West Virginia, Central Christian Church Huntington Indiana, Central Christian Church Flint Michigan, and Calfee Memorial Christian Church Bluefield West Virginia. Following retirement in 1984, Rev. Rowand received the Honored Minister Pin from the Disciples of Christ denomination and moved to Lakeland, Florida. He served as Interim Pastor at First Christian Church Montgomery Alabama and Boyd Memorial Christian Church Charleston W. Va. In Florida, he served the Tropical Sands Christian Church in Palm Beach Gardens, First Christian Church Venice, First Christian Church Plant City and First Christian Church Lakeland.
Rev. Rowand was raised in the Masonic Order to Master Mason, 32nd degree and is a member in good standing of the Lakeland Lodge #91.
His funeral service will be held Tuesday January 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens on South Bartow Highway. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Gifts in honor of David can be made to the Bethany Christian Church 4224 Pipkin Creek Road, Lakeland, Florida 33811. Condolences to the family may be sent to, www.lakelandfuneralhome.com.