Robert Rowland Obituary

Robert Francis Rowland, 79, passed away on July 2, 2025 after a brief illness.
Bob was raised in Fulton NY, the third of eight siblings born to Carl and Rita (Clarke) Rowland. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1963 where he was an outstanding football and basketball player.
He was predeceased by sisters, Carole Rowland and Rita Bryant; brothers, Thomas, Carl, and Richard Rowland, and; nephew Jamie Campbell.
He is a survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Patricia (Adams) of Myrtle Beach, SC and Sandy Pond, NY; sisters Mary (Dale) Earl of Fulton, NY and Marge (Ted) Marino of Myrtle Beach; daughter, Candace Pridgeon and her children Shelby, Chandler, Sam, and Campbell of Tallahassee, FL; son, Derek Rowland (Julie) and children Jacob, and Madeline of Gulf Breeze, FL; stepdaughter Kari (Ed) Morton and children Grace, James, William, and Elizabeth of Owego, NY; stepson Jim (Alice) Ryder and daughters Zoe and Zinnia of Medina, WA; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was a 1967 graduate of SUNY Oswego where he also earned his Masters in Education. Most of his professional career was spent in the Owego Apalachin Central School District where he held a variety of administrative positions, his favorite being Director of Special Education. He retired in 2003 as an Assistant Superintendent.
Bob was renowned for his sense of humor and quick wit. His pranks often involved made up words which he passed off as an expansive vocabulary. Although he often annoyed others (in the words of his elementary school teacher) it was all in sympifius fun.
In retirement he moved to Surfside Beach, SC where his interest in children continued as a volunteer for "Help For Kids"; an organization designed to do just that. Pop Pop enjoyed his summers at Sandy Pond boating, fishing and singing around a campfire with his grandkids. He was a wonderful father, husband and grandfather who will be sorely missed.
Services will be held privately at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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