James F Rowland

James F. Rowland, 85, of New London and formerly of Walpole, NH, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Stein Hospice Care Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. He was born on September 20, 1934 in New London, to the late Harry B. and Ruth (Ellery) Rowland Sr.

James grew up on the family’s dairy farm in Rochester, Ohio. He fell in love with planes and flying when he was just a small child. His father Harry arranged for them to take a ride in a plane in a local town and the hook was set. I doubt Grandpa knew that trip would turn a future farmer into an airline pilot. He was a graduate of Brighton High School and attended The Ohio State University. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF followed by a distinguished 30 year flying career as a commercial airline pilot. Dad flew internationally for the majority of his career, and had flown to every continent except Antarctica. During the Vietnam War, he volunteered to fly R&R missions for the troops. He was always a patriotic man and although he had traveled to many countries there was none that he loved more than the USA. He retired as a Boeing 747-400 Captain from both Pan American Airlines and United Airlines.  He had also recently been recognized as a 60-year member of the Masons.

James and his first wife, Dorothy Ann (Gish) were residents of Walpole, New Hampshire for over 30 years, where they raised their family. He enjoyed dragging his family into any and every history museum or aviation museum they passed. Their family trips usually consisted of visiting family in Ohio although on occasion he would allow himself to be a passenger on an airplane if they had to fly over an ocean.

They had many miniature poodles throughout their lives, all of the male dogs named Buddy. He even swore that being a poodle owner got him out of a speeding ticket once. After James retired, they moved to Martinsville, Indiana to be closer to their twin grandsons. After a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s, Dorothy passed away in June of 2015 after 52 years of marriage.

Dad later reconnected with a former classmate and friend, Joanne Bauer of New London. They were married in June of 2017. In addition to his wife, Joanne, he is survived by his children, Renee Rowland of Carmel, Indiana, Steven Rowland of Medina, Ohio and Daniel Rowland of Swanzey, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Cameron James Szala, 1st Lieutenant Victoria (Szala) Westbrook, Sydney Szala, Joshua Rowland, Maverick Rowland and a grandchild due in October 2020. James was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Ann; grandson, Tyler Rowland; brothers, Harry B. Rowland Jr. and King B. Rowland.

We are grateful for the care he was given by the staff at Fisher Titus Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, the Laurels in New London and finally at Stein Hospice Care Center.

One of Dad’s favorite poems is below.

High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds ... and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of ... wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew.

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

We will miss you dearly, and promise to remember all the good times we shared, especially when we see an airplane in the heavens. Dad’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. Rest easy Airman. God bless your soul. Eastman Funeral Home, New London assisted the family with arrangements. Donations can be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.

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