Robert Cutchin Rowland Sr.

Robert Cutchin Rowland Sr., 87, of Westminster Canterbury, Virginia Beach, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2005. Mr. Rowland was born in South Norfolk, Va. on October 13, 1917, and lived most of his life in the Tidewater area. He was predeceased by his parents, Cornelia Cutchin Rowland and Robert Bernard Rowland, Jr.,; and his brother, William Jeremiah Rowland. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Sease Rowland; two daughters, Deedle Rowland Holsten and her husband, Bob of Richmond, and Liz Rowland of Virginia Beach; two sons, Dr. Robert Rowland Jr., and his wife, Chris of Chesapeake, and J. Richard Rowland and his wife, Ann of Alpharetta, Ga. Mr. Rowland also has two granddaughters, seven grandsons, and two great-grandchildren. He was a 1935 graduate of South Norfolk High School and a 1939 graduate of the College of William and Mary, where he was president of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, vice-president of the Student Government, and a member of Phi Beta Phi, the Honorary Physics Society. He set the college high hurdle record of 15 seconds flat, a record that held for almost twenty years. He entered the Navy in 1942, became an officer and served in Miami and Maui, Hawaii, before discharge 1946. Upon his return, he built the Princess Anne Motor Lodge in Williamsburg. His motel was managed for 35 years by Allen and Margaret McMillan. Their daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Estes took over the position in 1994 until the business was sold in 2000. Always an outstanding sportsman, Mr. Rowland started racing hydroplanes during high school and continued into the 1950's. In 1951 and '52 he was selected to the Marine Racing Hall of Fame, was voted "Driver of the Year", and on September 30, 1951, he established a World's Speed Record in Martinsville, W.Va. in his boat "You All". In 1953 he retired from racing and began to play golf. As with everything he did, he put all his effort into practicing and perfecting his game. He won numerous club championships at Elizabeth Manor, Cedar Point, and Bide-A- Wee Golf Clubs. He qualified twice for the National Senior Amateur Championship. He and his partner won the 20th Annual North-South Four Ball Seniors Championship in Pine Hurst, N.C. and the Joe Tusing Sportsmanship Award at the Eastern Amateur in 1971. He was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. He was a member of Cedar Point, Elizabeth Manor, Bide-a-Wee, and El Conquistador (Bradenton, Fla.) Golf and Country Clubs. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Portsmouth for over forty years. He served on the board of Chesapeake Savings and Loan Association, now BB&T. He is remembered for his sense of fair play, his dedication to the game, and his gracious and gentlemanly manner. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Rd. A graveside service will be held at Westhampton Memorial Park in Richmond, Va. on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 11 am. The services will be officiated by Rev. Theodore Dougherty of Taylorsville Baptist Church, Hanover, Va. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Canterbury, Virginia Beach, at a later date, to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, Va. 23703.