Charles Morse Rowland Jr.

Commander Charles Morse Rowland, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), a long-time resident of Merritt Island, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 21, 2020 at the age of 87 after a brief illness. Charles was born in Tampa to Charles M. Rowland, Sr. and Thelma Harding Rowland on July 27, 1932. He attended the University of Rochester on a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship, was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1954. He picked up the nickname “Chuck” in college.

Chuck married Martha “Marty” Cahoon in 1953 and together they embarked on a 25-year Navy career. He served in four east coast ships, earned a Master’s Degree in Management at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and became a sea transportation specialist. Chuck completed five tours in the Military Sea Transportation Service (now Military Sealift Command) including Vietnam, the Panama Canal Zone, New Orleans and Patrick Air Force base. After retiring from the Navy in 1979, Chuck became the Executive Port Director at Port Canaveral for 20 years. He had a vision for the port and brought the cruise industry to Port Canaveral, resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs. Chuck joined the Merritt Island Rotary Club in 1975 and was active in numerous other local, state and international organizations.

Charles married Maria in 2009 and spent a wonderful 12 years together traveling the world and splitting time between their homes in Merritt Island and Xalapa, Mexico. He embraced the Mexican culture, continued his service through the Xalapa Rotary Club and developed many friendships within the local community. Charles was an avid photographer since high school and loved to photograph nature, people, and historical sites.

Chuck was predeceased by his wife of 54 years Marty. Charles is survived by his wife Maria; children Kathie, Steve (Ellen) and Karin; step-children Elisa, Jorge (Karen) and Joao (Renee) ; grandchildren John (Katelyn), William and Margaret; step grandchildren Sofia, Diego, Alexis, Sebastian, Ximena, Tiago, and Xavi; and great grandchildren Emma and Ellie.

A celebration of life will be conducted when COVID conditions allow.