Anyone know what happened at the Baskin Robbins today around 4:30-5:00 pm? I saw the fire truck and two ambulances entering parking lot as I was headed into Safeway, and by the time I left Safeway 10 minutes later only cop cars remained. Yellow tape blocking entrance to store and lights off inside, additional cop cars pulling up.

Yeah I just posted what happened literally 30 seconds after you asked. The owner died in the back of the store. He was battling cancer

Still cops guarding the doors at 8PM. Anyone have more info?

Round powdered items also found, area is locked down until the inventory is sorted out.

Death must be suspicious. Maybe a robbery? Disgruntled former employee?

Cancer reported still at large.

Johnny Walker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Cancer reported still at large.

Area residents are advised to remain indoors and get a prostate exam every four years.

Some of the employees from other stores said the owner committed suicide. Not sure how...

I heard from somewhere that he hanged himself but I think that's just a rumor

Does anyone know if he was recently exposed to Hillary's kankles? That could've done it.

I was there last night. He committed suicide. That was why the firetruck and ambulance left so soon. Waiting for the coroner and CSI.

Marko Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was there last night. He committed suicide. That
> was why the firetruck and ambulance left so soon.
> Waiting for the coroner and CSI.

Details are sketchy so far, but it appears he was having financial difficulties and became depressed over it. There may or may not have been problems at home as well. The whole matter is still under investigation.

Very sad actually. He was a nice guy.

Yes, very sad. I remember he took such good care of his ailing dog and brought her out to the bench outside his store to sit in the sun on his lap occasionally. He was heartbroken when she died a few months ago and had flowers, candle, and a photo in the store in her memory. He will be missed.

Marko Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Very sad actually. He was a nice guy.

Yes, that's what several people said. A more formal report should be out by Monday of next week. The tests from the lab won't be back until mid to late November, unless they rush them thru for testing.

So was it cancer or did he commite suicide? Everyone is saying different things. I was there last night and was very curious as to what happened.

From what i am hearing from my co-workers it was suicide. he did not open the store yesterday and it is believed that he hung himself in the back early yesterday morning. RIP Kevin Rowland. You had your issues as everyone does, but you were a good man at heart. Your family, along with I and many others will miss you.

Prayers to his family. I hope he's found peace and happiness in heaven and that he's been reunited with his dog.

Have the police found any evindence that he hung himself?

Twinbrook Shopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have the police found any evindence that he hung
> himself?

Can't say right now, wait for the official report to come out.

If they found him hanging, that may have provided a clue.

CSI Fairfax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Twinbrook Shopper Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Have the police found any evindence that he
> hung
> > himself?
>
> Can't say right now, wait for the official report
> to come out.

Where/When will the official report be posted?

Twinbrook Shopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CSI Fairfax Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Twinbrook Shopper Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Have the police found any evindence that he
> > hung
> > > himself?
> >
> > Can't say right now, wait for the official
> report
> > to come out.
>
> Where/When will the official report be posted?

Probably monday, the lab tests will take longer. Remember, just because a scene may or may not look like a suicide, doesn't mean that it was. Law enforcement has to go through the investigative process before a formal cause of death is determined.

CSI Fairfax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Twinbrook Shopper Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > CSI Fairfax Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Twinbrook Shopper Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Have the police found any evindence that he
> > > hung
> > > > himself?
> > >
> > > Can't say right now, wait for the official
> > report
> > > to come out.
> >
> > Where/When will the official report be posted?
>
> Probably monday, the lab tests will take longer.
> Remember, just because a scene may or may not look
> like a suicide, doesn't mean that it was. Law
> enforcement has to go through the investigative
> process before a formal cause of death is
> determined.

Ok. Will the report be posted on this site? Or where?

Generally speaking, suicides are not publicized. Since I don't think this made the actual local news you probably won't know for sure unless it's posted here by someone that knows, or you go through the trouble of calling the police and asking them.

However, the lack of a reported possible murder and the lack of reports of a suspicious death on the news yesterday/today should tell you something.

what an interesting psychological dynamic i just discovered here on FFU. It seems that if enough serious people post on a topic like this suicide, it deters the typical FFU dregs of society from chiming in with their expected insults.

why is that?

Well I mean at first, it's interesting and we want to know. I was in there just the other week but I don't know the guy people are talking about, was he kind of redneck looking? So the fact that I was in there not long ago has piqued my own personal interest.

In the end though, after we know everything we want, he will become nothing more to us than.. worm food...

--------------------------------------
DAMN!

Terrible way to go.

Johnny Walker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Generally speaking, suicides are not publicized.
> Since I don't think this made the actual local
> news you probably won't know for sure unless it's
> posted here by someone that knows, or you go
> through the trouble of calling the police and
> asking them.
>
> However, the lack of a reported possible murder
> and the lack of reports of a suspicious death on
> the news yesterday/today should tell you
> something.

That's correct.

Just went by there and people are starting to leave flowers, balloons, cards. Always appreciated his good customer service--repeated every order back to make sure it was correct--and his assistance in picking out/decorating cakes for my kids. RIP.

LMAO he couldnt wait til monday?

it would of been a great halloween prop.

just saying

Cowards way out.

Ah yes, the old mob hit hanging style. Nobody will be any wiser.

I owe him a debt of gratitude for always being there with my favorite ice cream when I needed it to get through bad times. But after battling cancer, losing a pet, and no doubt struggling to make a go of it operating an ice cream store, it's hard to imagine being in his shoes. R.I.P.

Kevin Rowland, Twinbrook Store Owner, Dies

Rowland owned Baskin Robbins for ten years, was well liked by customers.

Story in Burke Patch

http://burke.patch.com/articles/kevin-rowland-well-liked-store-owner-dies

Your comments and condolences are welcome in the comment section of this article.

Re: Police Activity- Baskin Robbins @ Twinbrook Shopping Center Posted by: haha ()
Date: October 26, 2011 04:05PM

Whoever wrote the email about waiting until Monday for Halloween should be ashamed. That is such a mean thing to say. He obviously had a rough life with his cancer and financial trouble and losing his dog. I am so saddend by this comment and I hope you realize that this could happen to you or anyone. He didn't choose to get cancer or to have money trouble, no one does. The ice-cream business is probably down with this economy and the competition coming into the area. You should be ashamed. I'm asuming you are a teenager and haven't yet realized how precious life is.

We should learn from this and stop before we make judgement on other people becasue we never know what they are dealing with at that moment.

He was a nice man.

For more details please see article located on www.burke.patch.com for obit article (Kevin Rowland)

this is so sad! Unfortunately we will never know how upset he felt and why he chose to end his life. He sounded very interesting, retired Army major, loved dogs, etc. Suicide makes the people around you suffer the most

I need to be sure to leave instructions to my family when I commit suicide to be sure that NO ONE posts news of my death on Fairfax Underground...Christ...

he iz a great friend u guyz are such insensitive bastards. i'm cryin now thanks to you, how would you like it if this wuz one of YOUR friends. This blog is crap!!!! y do u think dat is funny fuck u if u dont know him because YOU DONT PEACE OUT

neighbor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Re: Police Activity- Baskin Robbins @ Twinbrook
> Shopping Center Posted by: haha ()
> Date: October 26, 2011 04:05PM
>
> Whoever wrote the email about waiting until
> Monday for Halloween should be ashamed. That is
> such a mean thing to say. He obviously had a rough
> life with his cancer and financial trouble and
> losing his dog. I am so saddend by this comment
> and I hope you realize that this could happen to
> you or anyone. He didn't choose to get cancer or
> to have money trouble, no one does. The ice-cream
> business is probably down with this economy and
> the competition coming into the area. You should
> be ashamed. I'm asuming you are a teenager and
> haven't yet realized how precious life is.
>
> We should learn from this and stop before we make
> judgement on other people becasue we never know
> what they are dealing with at that moment.
>
> He was a nice man.



1: lighten the fuck up. That post was funny. Morbid and a little bit fucked up, but still funny.

2: Who said anything about money issues?

3: The ice-cream business is doing well, like liquor, BECAUSE of the economy. It makes people happy.

4: He was an asshole. It really sucks that killed himself, and I do feel very sorry for his family and good friends, but all these, "he was a nice guy" and "he was so good with the customers" posts are bull-shit. Just because someone is dead, does not mean that you have to lie and say nice things about him. Especially if you didn't know him.

Kevin Rowland, Twinbrook Store Owner, Dies
By Susan Larson
http://burke.patch.com/articles/kevin-rowland-well-liked-store-owner-dies

The store was closed Wednesday, but customers left bouquets, balloons and notes outside the Baskin Robbins in the Twinbrook Shopping Center on Braddock Road in Fairfax.

Storeowner George Kevin Rowland died there on Tuesday. He was 56. The retired Army Major will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Rowland's father told Burke Patch his son recently learned his cancer had returned. "He suffered through three different types of cancer and was in remission," said James Rowland. "When he found out he was out of remission, he told his sister he wasn't going to go through that again." Kevin's sister, Deborah Kay, is his twin.

Kevin Rowland was born on July 17, 1955. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1975, and then attended Morehead State University in Kentucky. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate. He served 16 years in the Army, with appointments in Europe and the United States, including Ft. Belvoir.

James Rowland, Kevin's father, said the family will be forming a foundation to benefit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in Kevin's honor. "He loved dogs and he loved the ASPCA," said James Rowland. "He had three American Eskimo Spitz he rescued from the kennels, and he loved them."

Customers recalled Kevin having his last dog at the store with him. It recently died.

Mary Rowland, Kevin's mother, died several years ago. A foundation in her honor provides a onesie for every newborn at Ft. Belvoir Hospital, where she volunteered for many years.

James Rowland said he hopes to reopen the Twinbrook Baskin Robbins on Thursday afternoon, October 27.
Attachments:

Insensitive much? a guy just died and your making fun of his death. wow, how much of a jerkoff can you be? oh i know the answer, a big one.

Uncertainty Principle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Insensitive much? a guy just died and your making
> fun of his death. wow, how much of a jerkoff can
> you be? oh i know the answer, a big one.

Especially since this man was so very nice to everyone. Truly sad, and our prayers go out to the family and friends.

That was a kind gesture from the folks at "McDonalds".

I'M A FIVE-STAR MAN!!

Major Rowland not only served his country, ie. allowing people the opportunity to make rude comments about his death, that are disgusting, but also as you can see here, gave back to the community that he fought for. Not many pukes here have done that, so it is your right to make insensitive comments, but this is man who's family is in deep pain, and when you are in the same situation, perhaps you'll think differently.


God bless you Rowland family, and Rest in Peace Major Rowland.

Ex-Employee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1: lighten the fuck up. That post was funny.
> Morbid and a little bit fucked up, but still
> funny.
>
> 2: Who said anything about money issues?
>
> 3: The ice-cream business is doing well, like
> liquor, BECAUSE of the economy. It makes people
> happy.
>
> 4: He was an asshole. It really sucks that killed
> himself, and I do feel very sorry for his family
> and good friends, but all these, "he was a nice
> guy" and "he was so good with the customers" posts
> are bull-shit. Just because someone is dead, does
> not mean that you have to lie and say nice things
> about him. Especially if you didn't know him.



The man hated women. He rarely had girls working for him, and when they did, they never lasted long. I never liked his customer service (or lack thereof) - yes, he repeated back the orders, but I felt more like I was being interrogated than being served. He yelled in a weird monotone and it was really weird.

Yes, it sucks that he killed himself. But all of these "he was so nice" posts are definitely bull. I don't know if he ever even smiled, I never felt welcome in the store if he was in the building.

Human Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> The man hated women. He rarely had girls working
> for him, and when they did, they never lasted
> long. I never liked his customer service (or lack
> thereof) - yes, he repeated back the orders, but I
> felt more like I was being interrogated than being
> served. He yelled in a weird monotone and it was
> really weird.
>
> Yes, it sucks that he killed himself. But all of
> these "he was so nice" posts are definitely bull.
> I don't know if he ever even smiled, I never felt
> welcome in the store if he was in the building.

Maybe he never smiled because he was dying of cancer and his dog died. Don't you have any respect for the dead, especially a military veteran who served his country? And yes, he was nice to me (a woman) and most people I know...maybe not to you but then you probably deserved it douchebag.

Appalled Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Human Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > The man hated women. He rarely had girls
> working
> > for him, and when they did, they never lasted
> > long. I never liked his customer service (or
> lack
> > thereof) - yes, he repeated back the orders, but
> I
> > felt more like I was being interrogated than
> being
> > served. He yelled in a weird monotone and it
> was
> > really weird.
> >
> > Yes, it sucks that he killed himself. But all
> of
> > these "he was so nice" posts are definitely
> bull.
> > I don't know if he ever even smiled, I never
> felt
> > welcome in the store if he was in the building.
>
> Maybe he never smiled because he was dying of
> cancer and his dog died. Don't you have any
> respect for the dead, especially a military
> veteran who served his country? And yes, he was
> nice to me (a woman) and most people I
> know...maybe not to you but then you probably
> deserved it douchebag.

I mean since I was 3 years old and started going there in 18 years ago. I'm pretty sure he didn't have cancer 18 years ago and his dog hadn't died. And I have plenty of respect for the dead, and people who bravely serve our country. He's supposed to be douchebags to children? And I wasn't an asshole kid - my parents made sure we were well behaved when we were out, or we didn't get ice cream. Just because he's dead doesn't mean I'm going to lie about how he was.

Appalled Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Human Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > The man hated women. He rarely had girls
> working
> > for him, and when they did, they never lasted
> > long. I never liked his customer service (or
> lack
> > thereof) - yes, he repeated back the orders, but
> I
> > felt more like I was being interrogated than
> being
> > served. He yelled in a weird monotone and it
> was
> > really weird.
> >
> > Yes, it sucks that he killed himself. But all
> of
> > these "he was so nice" posts are definitely
> bull.
> > I don't know if he ever even smiled, I never
> felt
> > welcome in the store if he was in the building.
>
> Maybe he never smiled because he was dying of
> cancer and his dog died. Don't you have any
> respect for the dead, especially a military
> veteran who served his country? And yes, he was
> nice to me (a woman) and most people I
> know...maybe not to you but then you probably
> deserved it douchebag.

Additionally, I know all about respecting those who serve and have served for our country. People tend to glorify people after death - and this seems to be a pretty big case.

People don't typically serve in the military for 16 years. Retirement standard is 20 - I know because my FATHER served 20 years in the armed services, and many MANY of my close friends are in Afghanistan right now. The military tends to give people who served a significant amount of time a "break" when they would otherwise be dishonorably discharged and allow them to retire.

But a shitty person who served in the military is still a shitty person.

Human Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Appalled Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Human Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > >
> > > The man hated women. He rarely had girls
> > working
> > > for him, and when they did, they never lasted
> > > long. I never liked his customer service (or
> > lack
> > > thereof) - yes, he repeated back the orders,
> but
> > I
> > > felt more like I was being interrogated than
> > being
> > > served. He yelled in a weird monotone and it
> > was
> > > really weird.
> > >
> > > Yes, it sucks that he killed himself. But all
> > of
> > > these "he was so nice" posts are definitely
> > bull.
> > > I don't know if he ever even smiled, I never
> > felt
> > > welcome in the store if he was in the
> building.
> >
> > Maybe he never smiled because he was dying of
> > cancer and his dog died. Don't you have any
> > respect for the dead, especially a military
> > veteran who served his country? And yes, he
> was
> > nice to me (a woman) and most people I
> > know...maybe not to you but then you probably
> > deserved it douchebag.
>
> Additionally, I know all about respecting those
> who serve and have served for our country. People
> tend to glorify people after death - and this
> seems to be a pretty big case.
>
> People don't typically serve in the military for
> 16 years. Retirement standard is 20 - I know
> because my FATHER served 20 years in the armed
> services, and many MANY of my close friends are in
> Afghanistan right now. The military tends to give
> people who served a significant amount of time a
> "break" when they would otherwise be dishonorably
> discharged and allow them to retire.
>
> But a shitty person who served in the military is
> still a shitty person.


Here Here I thought I was going to get fragged.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How sad - he was always nice to me (a female) and was very professional. I guess we can all have bad days and given what he was dealing with I would understand if he was difficult at times. Did he have a son that worked there as well? I hope his family can remember him as a well liked, dedicated to his job and family and not pay much attention or time to some of the unnecessary comments posted here. May he rest in peace

jean king Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How sad - he was always nice to me (a female) and
> was very professional. I guess we can all have
> bad days and given what he was dealing with I
> would understand if he was difficult at times.
> Did he have a son that worked there as well? I
> hope his family can remember him as a well liked,
> dedicated to his job and family and not pay much
> attention or time to some of the unnecessary
> comments posted here. May he rest in peace


That's the thing, though. If you really think about it, this whole thread is unnecessary and disrespectful. None of the obituaries or anything that I have seen online discuss the manner in which he died, and do not go into nearly as much detail as this thread does. His family obviously didn't want the public knowing this much information and didn't want it flaunted about.

So, yeah. Even just by posting, it's disrespectful.

Want to be respectful? Go to Baskin Robbins in person and give your condolences there, or even a card. It would be much more effective, and the people who really need to hear it will know.

So the fact that you posted would make you "disrespectful" too I guess?

He did a good job of taking the fun out of going to get ice cream. Dirty store, unkempt and barking at customers.

and I thought the Lamb Center thread was fucked up, this is seriously meds time stuff.

Braddock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So the fact that you posted would make you
> "disrespectful" too I guess?
>
> He did a good job of taking the fun out of going
> to get ice cream. Dirty store, unkempt and barking
> at customers.

Yeah, I'm technically being disrespectful. But I'm being honest and not trying to pretend it's something it's not.

karma will come to bite you back U bitch cant wait to see how people talk bout U at YOR FUNERAL hope they R as honest as U THINK U are

Think any of these "friends" bothered to suggest to him that his barking at customers was less than endearing and possibly harmful to business? It was such a contrast to the friendly demeanor at Woody's.

NICE COMMENT, ASSHOLE

I AM SWURE YOU ARE A SUCCESS IN LIFE

U R PROBABLY A LOSER IN LIFE AND HAVE ACCOPLISHED NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF...WHO R U BLAMING NOW, SINCE YOU R A FAILURE?

NOYHING!!

I used to take my kids to his store when they were younger as a special treat. I will say that he did bark at me too in his own quirky way (kind of like the Soup Nazi in that Seinfeld episode. It was funny.) At first I was a bit taken aback by his gruff tone with me but I got used to his demeanor and it never dissuaded me from taking my kids to get ice cream there. As the kids got older we stopped going there so much and somehow the fact that he had passed away escaped me. I am truly sorry to hear that.

People have things going on in their lives that we simply have not clue about I guess. For a guy who had such serious health problems he sure did show up every day to open that store and serve his customers. Bye Mr. Rowland. RIP.

I don't miss his barking at all. The guy ran the place like a drill sargeant and treated customers like new recruits at bootcamp. The people who run the place now are much more pleasant and I go there more often because of it.

Truth hurts.

I knew Kevin Rowland personally. Actually went to school with him & he was a close friend of my entire family. I just saw this & am outraged at some of the comments. I do appreciate the kind comments made by most of you.

In regard to his supposed "money problems" - I have no idea where that came from. He retired with full military honors and RETIREMENT. He was buried in Arlington Cemetery with full honors. The reason he was eligible for retirement after 16 yrs is because he served ROTC in college. That gave him 4 years credit & it enabled him to put himself through school instead of his parents having to pay for it. Although they would have sent him, he preferred to do it on his own.
He was an avid animal lover, kind & generous with his family & friends. If some of you saw him in less than a happy demeanor, the fact that he had had 3 rounds of cancer with all that entails - chemo, etc. would be enough to get anyone down. And finding out that it was back when he thought it was finally kicked, was enough to put anyone over the edge. If you have not had cancer or had a loved one that has, you have no idea how horrible & pain-filled it can be.

No one knows what happened that day as he was alone. Speculating, especially in a derogatory way, it not helpful to anyone.

To the person who had such hateful comments my question is - if you disliked him & the store so much, why didn't you just go elsewhere. That's not the only place to get ice cream. And Kevin Rowland did not own the store for 18 years. He had owned it for less than 10 years. So whoever made you unhappy for the 1st 8 years, was not him. Guess you need to find out if that person has also passed away so you can post something about them also.

Major Rowland's friend Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I knew Kevin Rowland personally. Actually went to
> school with him & he was a close friend of my
> entire family. I just saw this & am outraged at
> some of the comments. I do appreciate the kind
> comments made by most of you.
>
> In regard to his supposed "money problems" - I
> have no idea where that came from. He retired with
> full military honors and RETIREMENT. He was buried
> in Arlington Cemetery with full honors. The reason
> he was eligible for retirement after 16 yrs is
> because he served ROTC in college. That gave him 4
> years credit & it enabled him to put himself
> through school instead of his parents having to
> pay for it. Although they would have sent him, he
> preferred to do it on his own.
> He was an avid animal lover, kind & generous with
> his family & friends. If some of you saw him in
> less than a happy demeanor, the fact that he had
> had 3 rounds of cancer with all that entails -
> chemo, etc. would be enough to get anyone down.
> And finding out that it was back when he thought
> it was finally kicked, was enough to put anyone
> over the edge. If you have not had cancer or had a
> loved one that has, you have no idea how horrible
> & pain-filled it can be.
>
> No one knows what happened that day as he was
> alone. Speculating, especially in a derogatory
> way, it not helpful to anyone.
>
> To the person who had such hateful comments my
> question is - if you disliked him & the store so
> much, why didn't you just go elsewhere. That's not
> the only place to get ice cream. And Kevin Rowland
> did not own the store for 18 years. He had owned
> it for less than 10 years. So whoever made you
> unhappy for the 1st 8 years, was not him. Guess
> you need to find out if that person has also
> passed away so you can post something about them
> also.

You were his friend and did nothing to help the poor guy in his time of need? No wonder Rowland hung himself if all his friends were like you. And here you are, condemning others. What a fucking hypocrite you are!