Henry Sanders Rowland, III

Henry Sanders Rowland, III, age 88.

A new member has arrived at The Heaven Club and he’s going to fit right in, making everyone even better with his enormously kind spirit and insatiable curiosity.

Henry Sanders Rowland III, 88, died peacefully on August 29th in Morganton, NC. Henry was born on May 18th, 1934, in Hartford, CT. to Henry Sanders Rowland II and Helen Kenyon Rowland.

“Hank” is survived by his sister Polly of Hendersonville, N.C. His beautiful wife of 65 years Susan Rowland of Morganton, N.C. Children Frank, Fred, Bruce, Sarah and Eve. Grandchildren, Daniel, Henry, Alice, Fritz, Dexter, Max and Nick. Great grandchild Ruby Jo. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

“Pop” was proceeded in death by his loving son Andrew.

A graduate of the Georgia Tech class of “57 and the Harvard Business School class of ‘59. Henry was a gifted Industrial Engineer, helping build structures around the world from Australia to the Middle East to Europe and the U.S. He worked for Rust Engineering, AZCO Power and Coca-Cola before settling in Morganton, N.C. to start Rowland Designs with his very talented wife Susan. Rowland Designs was renowned for creating one-of-kind porcelain slip cast pottery. Hank was a master mold maker.

Henry was very active in numerous civic activities. He loved the comradery of the Elks Club, Morganton Rotary (past president 1991-92), Yoke Folks, BMW’s Iron Butt Association, the Knobbies cycling club and Ham Radio International (handle: W9MY Mellow Yellow) to name just a few. One of Henry’s proudest accomplishments was serving in The American Red Cross, leading teams as they responded to national disasters. Henry was on the ground within hours of the September 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C..

More than anything, Henry Rowland loved all living things. He collected friends, strangers and animals, alike. Bubba, Rumsfeld, Jagger, Lola, Rat Fink, Mama Kittie, Eddie, Fuzzball and the infamous Kao.

We love you, Pop. We will miss you so much.

A memorial at Grace Ridge in Morganton for family and friends will take at a later date.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.