Robert (Bob) Buxton Rowland, of Windsor VT, passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 29, 2014 at home. He was 87 years old. Born June 12, 1926 in Hartford, CT to Irene Evangeline Buxton Rowland and Robert James Rowland, he attended West Hartford High School, Hobart College, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1947. Bob enlisted in the V-12 program at Hobart College, and served in the United States Navy in WWII and the Korean War. After, he completed his service in the Navy Reserve until retirement, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He lived in Stony Brook, NY, and West Hartford, CT with his first wife Virginia Stead Rowland and his two children. In 1983, Bob married Muriel Elizabeth Lambert Rowland and lived Perkinsville, VT. Bob worked in insurance for 48 years before retiring from The Richards Group, Brattleboro, VT.

Bob was a member of the Ascutney Union Church, North Country Chordsmen barbershop chorus, Dartmouth Club of the Upper Valley, and an avid table tennis player. Bob will be especially remembered for his athletic abilities and accomplishments. He was a sprinter in high school, at Dartmouth, and throughout his later life. One of his career highlights was running at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He continued his love of athletics through his older years, including winning silver for table tennis in the Senior Olympics, multiple medals for shuffleboard with his wife Muriel and also solo, as well as Senior Athlete of the Year in Vermont. He was an active member of the Senior Center in Springfield, VT where he played shuffleboard until just recently. Bob had a love affair with music throughout his life, singing barbershop with the Insurance City Chorus in Hartford, CT, and the North Country Chordsmen in Hanover, NH. Bob could always be counted on to be smiling from the front row. Bob and Muriel travelled throughout the continental US for tournaments and competitions, making good friends everywhere they went.

A unique soul, Bob could always be counted on for a tune, a yodel or a "true make-believe" story. He taught all his grandchildren to play cribbage and would organize round-robin tournaments every chance he got. A love of fishing was passed along by Bob's father. Bob loved to go deep sea fishing, fish for cunners off the rocks, and tell "big" fish stories. A man of faith, he was actively involved in his church community, and served on several boards, including the Board of Trustees.

Bob is survived by his "bride" of 30 years, Muriel Elizabeth Lambert Rowland, a retired school teacher of Weathersfield, VT; sister June Irene Rowland of Harpswell, ME; daughter Pamela Joy Rivers of Worcester, MA; son Robert Stead Rowland of Whitefield, ME; and four grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Ascutney Union Church, Ascutney, VT at 3:30 pm on Saturday February 8, 2014. A reception will immediately follow the service at Cedar Hill Village, on Route 5, Windsor, VT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob's name to the Ascutney Union Church, Dartmouth College, BAYADA Hospice, the North Country Chordsmen, or to a charity of your choice.