Rowland Godfrey Freeman III

He served in the US Navy from 1942-1979 retiring as a Rear Admiral. He was appointed by President Carter to be the Administrator of the General Services Administration from 1979-81. He then became a Corporate Vice-President of McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) from 1981-87. During WW II he served in the Pacific as a Navy Night Fighter and then Torpedo Bomber from the Aircraft Carrier USS Wasp. He was shot down off Okinawa and rescued by a US Submarine, becoming a member of “Jonah’s Jaybirds”. For his service, he was awarded the Defense Superior Service medal, Navy Distinguished Service medal, Two Legion of Merit, and Two distinguished Flying Crosses in addition to Air Medals, various campaign ribbons and unit awards.

While in Williamsburg he was a member of the Williamsburg Community Chapel, Reverend Bill Warrick’s Men’s breakfast Prayer Group, and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) whose members donate technical consulting and financial advice to small business start-ups.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Gates Freeman; his son Christopher Gates and Daughter-in-law Sheryl; Son Geoffrey Gates and Daughter-in-law Deborah in addition to Four Grandchildren; Russell, Kimberly, Jeremy, and Haldan plus four Great Grandchildren; Aidan, Phineas, Lillian, and Alexander.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will occur at Patriot’s Colony Grand Hall on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM.