Fred Carl Rowland
July 30th, 1937 – November 20th, 2021
Dr. Fred Carl Rowland, 84, passed away surrounded by his loving family on November 20th, 2021 in the house he built with his sweetheart, Linda.
Born in Salt Lake City in 1937, Fred was raised on the east bench, where he attended and graduated from East High School. As a young man, his commitment, intelligence, and strong work ethic earned him bachelor's and master's degrees in the sciences at the University of Utah, and a doctorate degree in Physical Education at Brigham Young University. In 1968, he met his best friend, Linda Rohbock, and married her in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. Together, they adopted and raised five unique children from all across the globe. Theirs was an adventurous home filled with devotion to the gospel, education, and sports of all types, and their children developed a healthy respect for rugged individualism and a huge fondness for the great outdoors.
A coaching legend, Fred began his athletics career coaching mens' and womens' state championship cross country teams, but was most at home on the wrestling mat. His storied coaching career spanned more than forty years, where he mentored hundreds of students both in the classroom, and on and off the mat. In addition to coaching, Fred taught Biology and Drivers Ed at Mountain View High School, and under his leadership, wrestling teams at Orem High School, West High School, and Mountain View High School earned state championships and many other regional and tournament awards. He was the recipient of multiple individual awards including honors from the Utah Wrestling Association as “Man Of The Year” and the esteemed inclusion into the Utah Sports Hall Of Fame as a Distinguished High School Coach. But wrestling wasn’t just a sport for Fred; it was a source of spirituality that allowed him to teach his athletes the principles of commitment, obedience, hard work, and study, helping them to become better athletes, and even better people.
As an avid backpacker, fisherman, and all around nature enthusiast, Fred grew a second skin in the outdoors. He relished in the wild, particularly his beloved Big Cottonwood Canyon, where he went frequently to find solace and peace. An avid reader, he was rarely found without a worn Louis Lamour book in his hand. His love of the West and his thirst for adventure led him and his children on countless backpacking trips, biking treks, and explorations up every known canyon along the Wasatch Front. Not even his 6 year old daughter was spared when he famously "encouraged" her summit up Provo Peak in a pair of jelly shoes.
It was his annual cherished High Unitas summer excursions, however, that brought out the best in Coach Rowland. To hear him howl as he plunged into a high alpine lake is the stuff of legend- a mountain man blessing to all of us lucky enough to be within earshot. He leaves behind in all of us a deep reverence, respect, and love for all the beauties of our earthly home in the mountains.
Fred’s ultimate loves in life were his wife of 52 years, Linda, and his beloved dog, Chance. As well as their five children and the gospel of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for which he bore a granite-like testimony. Fred and Linda were lucky enough to fully participate in their own lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren, and travel to many far-flung destinations. These travels were capped by the fulfillment of one of their lifelong goals: a mission for the LDS church in Fresno, California.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred E. Rowland and Iris Viola Alm, his granddaughter Zana Chee Raquel Anderson. Fred is survived by his wife, Linda Louise Rohbock, cherished children, Taj (Priya), Rux (Kristin), Joshua, Jarom, Ana (Brandon) and Deborah, his thirteen grandchildren, and his brother, David Rowland (Laura).
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and caretakers, specifically with Envision homecare and hospice who aided in keeping him at home surrounded by his family in his last days.
Fred’s enduring spirit will undoubtedly find you outside, in the melody of the streams and the tops of rocky mountains. It will visit you on that final lap, it will climb beside you up that tallest summit. And during that extra practice, when you are sweating blood and tears, he will be there still, hand on the mat, coaching you on forever.
Service Details:
Visitation - Friday, November 26th, 2021 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home located at 646 East 800 North, Orem, UT 84097
Funeral Services - Saturday, November 27th, 2021 at 11:00am at Park 7th Ward located at 114 South 400 West, Orem, UT 84058
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William Eugene Rainey
I had my favorite times with Mr. Rowland as my wrestling coach, truly the best teacher that I ever had. Always smiling and giving the best advise, which meant that he was always watching and listening.
Coach and dear Brother Rowland has been a life long influence for good to me personality and also to my wife Patsy. In many ways we feel like we grew up, older and wiser with him. He help Gary Ratcliffe and myself get our 1st ever multiple dual meet adventure in Oklahoma when we were just getting into the Orem High wrestling program. He taught us, led us and gave us life lessons that we still use to this day. He provided in us a sense of "Never quitting and never giving up" no matter what challenges come to us. As others have said, he always has had a smile on his face, even during hard times, loss matches (except maybe when we were 10lbs over weight on the day of a match)., and dealing with difficulties of age. He will be forever remembered, loved and important to us along with his beautiful wife Linda. See you again in the next life Fred.. --Love from Rod and Patricia Burgi to the Fred Rowland Family.
Mr. Roland…one of my all time favorite teachers! Always upbeat, positive and smiling❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻
My dear friend Fred Rowland, a man with a perpetual smile, a sparkle in his eye, and a pure heart. I have so many wonderful memories of Fred and Linda and their family. Fred was a wonderful teacher, and man who loved beauty (in the great outdoors as well as in his beautiful yard), and a true neighbor--in every sense of that word. We need more Fred Rowlands in this world!
Fred was a great man and a good neighbor. His good heart, kindness, hard work, and sense of humor will be greatly missed!
Learned a lot about life from Fred both on the mat and in his biology class. He was a great friend to my mom and dad (Cyntha and Frank). Thank you for everything. Kathy and I are visiting family and hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. Our thoughts will be with your family.
I was fortunate enough to have grown up across the street from Rowlands, and Fred allowed me to manage the wrestling team at Orem and then Mountain View. The lessons I learned from the coach during that time are too many to list but unquestionably molded me and enabled me to overcome many trials in my life. Coach could and did bluster, but at the end of the day always had a smile and words of encouragement. My deepest condolences to Linda, Rux, Taj, and the other children I didn't have the opportunity to meet. It was always a comfort to know that Fred and Linda were just across the street. . . He will be greatly missed.
Love this man more than I told him but I believe he knew the impact that he made on so many lives which speaks to the Fred I knew. Smart loving and grit would be the words I use to remember him. Wonderful coach to me and I passed along to my kids. His words have carried on in my own children 20 years later. Legends live FOREVER! Rest well my friend.
Fred was/is a great friend. Although I hadn’t seen him for a few years, I still remember his smile, and his kindness to me and my boys. He will be missed!!
Mr Rowland was a wonderful Biology teacher! He always had a smile on his face and put up with all our teasing. He taught me a lot! He will always be one of my favorite teachers! We will miss you Mr Rowland!
My deepest condolences to your dear family. Sending my love to each of you.
Brother Roland was highly respected neighbor. I quite enjoyed his company. I expressed my condolences to family, friends and all who miss him.
He took coaching to a different level. I got to point where I could wrestle with most of my coaches but not coach Rowland. There were times I would get in on a double or single leg, thinking I was finally going to take him down and he would bump his hips and walk over the top of me. It was like he was setting me up. I remember him teaching me about forces, 1 example I still remember, I was doing standup drills and I would clear my arm and come firing up but my arm was in a fist. He tells me to open my hand and I questioned, he showed me that the fist was taking the forces towards the inside and if I straightened my hand the forces of my hand would be going the right way and help get the escape. Those are the details he paid attention too and made him different and special. He was a great man. Thanks coach for all you taught me
Coach Rowland was a great man! Thoughts and prayers sent to the family. He was in my ward for many years and was the high school wrestling coach when I was at Mountain View. There was never a day that went by without a smile and a hello how are you today. He was a sweet and dear man.
My brother, Fred, and I were separated by 12 years in age, and we were in different places as to our interests as I was growing up.
Our relationship was, however, always one of friendship and mutual respect.
The Rowland’s were always outdoors people, and that’s where Fred and I had our best times together.
I’m so thankful to call Fred brother. I loved and love him.
Mr. Rowland was my biology teacher in high school and was enthusiastic and made learning fun. Sorry to hear of his passing. I'll always remember how he told me to energize each morning to stay positive. A great man to made a great impact on the world.