Brig. Gen. Vernon Rodney Tate Sr.

Brigadier General Vernon Rodney “Rod” Tate, Sr. passed away peacefully on January 28, 2018, in his home on Daniel Island, South Carolina, with his beloved wife, Lynn, his children and two faithful rescue cats, Frankie and Cooper, by his side. He celebrated his 80th birthday this past November with family.

Rod was born on November 18, 1937, in Washington, D.C. to Dr. Vernon Dale Tate and Katherine Ann (Moore) Tate, and lived his childhood years in Hingham, Massachusetts. Rod earned his Eagle Scout rank as member of Troop 25 in Hingham, Massachusetts. He moved to Annapolis with his family in 1954 when his father began serving as Director of Libraries at the U.S. Naval Academy. Rod graduated from Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Massachusetts, in 1957. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland in 1961, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the University of Maryland Swim Team. He later received a Masters of Business Administration at George Washington University with a focus on International Marketing in 1967.

Rod began his career working at Xerox Corporation. He later founded Nationwide Fulfillment Systems located in Ridgely, Maryland, serving Fortune 500 companies. During this time, he served in the U.S. Air Force and spent his last five years in service as a Brigadier General, USAF, working in the Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), which included duties at the Pentagon, Office of Secretary of the Air Force. He was also a Mobilization Assistant to the Inspector General (SAFIG). Upon retirement from the Air Force, Brigadier General Tate received the Distinguished Service Medal.

Rod and his late wife, Missy, founded Weems Creek Nursery School and Kindergarten, Annapolis, MD in 1972, which, 46 years later continues making a difference in children’s lives. They also established Super Skate roller rink together in 1979. During retirement, Rod and his son, Vernon (Skip) Rodney Tate, Jr. founded Recreation World RV Center, Annapolis, MD.

Over his lifetime, Rod was involved in many philanthropic causes, serving in various capacities including Anne Arundel Medical Center, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, the Annapolis Area Christian School, the Summit School, Cushing Academy, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and other organizations.

Rod was a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC), the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, U.S. Naval Academy Golf Club, and the New Providence Club in Annapolis. Most recently, he has cherished his time attending East Cooper Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, SC and hosting weekly Bible studies with his wife. He was an active member at the Daniel Island Club. Rod lived a full life and enjoyed sailing and Wednesday Night Races at AYC, traveling, golf, restoring historic homes, was an automobile enthusiast, and most of all, cherished spending time with his family.

Rod is survived by his wife, Lynn of 10 years; his sons, Vernon Rodney (Skip) Tate, Jr., (Katharine), William Paul Tate; his daughters, Hilda Margaret (Maggie) Tate Riith (Michael), all from Annapolis and Elizabeth Downing Jowett, (Marshall) of Yale, Michigan, from his 43 year marriage with the late Missy Tate; ten grandchildren; and a sister, Charlotte Tate Bendell (Alfred) of Hagerstown, MD.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018, from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. The service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 2:00pm at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, 710 Ridgely Avenue, Annapolis, MD. Interment will follow at the St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church Cemetery, 1601 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis, MD.

Those wishing to do so may make donations to one of the philanthropies mentioned above, Respite Care Charleston, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support, the Charleston Animal Society or the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com.