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