David Rowlands' Obituary
David Dickson Rowlands
March 22, 1915 -" August 29, 2012
David Dickson Rowlands, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on August 29, 2012. Born on March 22, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
David graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and went on to earn a Masters degree in political science from the University of Chicago.
He proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII, first as a member of the 11th Calvary Horse Regiment in California, then later as a captain in the 782nd Tank Battalion.
He devoted his entire career to public service. His work as a city manager began in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in 1949, continued in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Tacoma, Washington, where he was manager from 1956 -" 1970. David's last city management experience took him to Huntington Beach, California.
Upon his retirement from public administration in 1976, he taught for three years as a visiting professor in the public policy graduate program at California State University at Long Beach. He served with distinction as president of the International City Management Association in 1966. Throughout his career, he received national recognition for his success as a labor relations negotiator.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of David's life was his enduring love of his wife Sally, to whom he was married for 59 years. She was by his side at every turn of his career, sharing the triumphs and the difficulties. Dave and Sally shared a deep faith and love of family. His greatest joys were being a husband, a father, and a grandfather, but perhaps his greatest thrill was a good game of bridge. A devoted Christian, David was an active member in his church wherever he lived. His life was lived in faithful service to God, family, country, and community.
David is survived by his four children, David, Jean, Peggy, and John and their spouses, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
A celebration of David's life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 901 North J Street, Tacoma, Washington. Memorial remembrances may be sent directly to the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, 2021 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98129.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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