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DARIEN, Conn. - Rawle Deland of Darien died Dec. 3. He was 90.
Deland was born May 15, 1923; son of Janet Deland and Thorndike Deland, Sr. of Scarsdale, N.Y. He graduated from the Repton School, Rye Country Day School, The Hotchkiss School and Yale University, class of 1945. He served as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He earned a Purple Heart and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic action in the battle of Okinawa.
After completion of military service, he earned a Masters of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and commenced his career in executive search at Thorndike Deland Associates, specializing in the retail sector. In 1997, the Staples store on Richards Avenue in Norwalk, Connecticut was dedicated to Rawle Deland for his longtime friendship to Staples and its founder.
He moved to Darien in 1950 after his marriage to Theodora where they raised their family. He served on the vestry of St. Luke's Church, Darien and was a member of that church from 1950. He was a member of the Tokeneke Club and the Wee Burn Club in Darien.
He retired from Thorndike Deland Associates in 1990 and commenced a second career with the Service Core of Retired Executives and Person-to-Person. He also became a Stephen Minister.
Deland is survived by his wife, Theodora Cogswell Deland of Darien; children, Rawle Deland Jr. (Jane) of New York City, Alexander T. Deland (Susan) of Pelham, N.Y., Jonathan T. Deland (Emme) of New York City, Theodora Deland Walton (William) of Jacksonville, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Thorndike Deland, Jr.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Luke's Church at 1864 Post Road, in Darien on Dec. 21 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Luke's Church.
For more information, please visit: www.lawrencefuneralhome.com/
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