Master SGT Robert Howland

Master Sgt. Robert Howland, 87, of Hixson, Tennessee died Thursday, April 18, 2019 in an area health care facility. This is not a typical obituary; this is a love story lasting 65 years. Sarge took an 18 year old bride and introduced her to different cultures and nearly all nationalities all over the world. I will always miss our anniversaries; it was always half of a Krystal and a Coke with two straws. We lived in different places and lived a true military life. Our separations were hard - especially the wars - but our love was always there when he came home. He was a wonderful husband and a good father to our four children. We will miss him so. But his true love was his country. He served in the United States Army for 60 years, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant. During his military career, he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, 1st Air Cavalry Division, served two years in the Vietnam War, served in Korea, in the Karlsruhe Air Assault division in Germany, and was an advisor to the Iowa National Guard. He also taught ROTC at Red Bank High School for 13 years and loved all of the Cadets he taught. He thought the world of all of his students. Sarge received many awards including the Bronze Star (two times), the Army Commendation 2 (OLC), the Air Medal, three Good Conduct medals, NCO Academy, Helicopter repair HO-LA, and numerous other awards. He was a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, VFW and others. Sarge was preceded in death by his parents, Charles T. Howland & Edna McCollister Howland. We lost two of our children, Pam Howland and Robert T. Howland. Survivors include his wife, June Jarnagin Howland; one son, David W. Howland, and his wife, Vickie; daughter, Katherine Howland Mundis and her husband, Kevin; seven grandchildren, Kellie Rhea Seidel, Brooke Jones and her husband, Chris, Joshua Howland and his wife, Kayla, Jordyn Howland, Hayley Borek, Michael Borek, ChaseHowland, and Chandler Howland; seven great-grandchildren, Brieana Seidel, Braylon Seidel, Brooklyn Jones, C.J. Julian, Xander Jones, Scarlet Rose Borek, and Brooklyn Borek, and another great-grandchild on the way. Visitation will be held at Hamilton Funeral Home in Hixson on Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Monday, April 22nd from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Graveside funeral services with military honors will be held at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be David Howland, Joshua Howland, Chase Howland, Kevin Mundis, Chris Jones, Michael Borek, Ryan Smallies, Michael Smith, and Chip Chapman. We should not mourn that this man died. We should rejoice that men like this lived. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com. Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services.