L. Rowe Driver, Jr. ’42

L. Rowe Driver, Jr. ’42, 90, of Nashville, Tenn., died Jan. 4, 2012, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was the son of Leslie R. and Sarah B. Driver (deceased) of Bristol, Tenn. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carolyn Watson Driver, 71 Concord Park West, Nashville, TN 37205; his daughters, Elizabeth C. Driver and Donna Driver Norris Roger; and grandchildren, Leslie and Katie Norris. He is also survived by his brother, Tom F. Driver (Anne Barstow); sister, Betty Driver Peeler; sister-in-law, Ann C. Driver; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Russell B. Driver, and his brother-in-law, Milton B. Peeler. Driver earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Emory University. After completing his training, Driver served as a Navy physician in the Pacific Theater during WWII. After the war, Driver established a medical practice in Bristol, Tenn., until he was recalled to active military duty during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to the states, Driver went into private practice in Nashville, Tenn., where he practiced ophthalmology for more than 40 years. Driver was an active member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and West End United Methodist Church. He also served as president of the Nashville Academy of Ophthalmology, the Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology, Nashville Academy of Medicine, and Tennessee Medical Association. Driver will long be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, doctor, and friend. An avid tennis player for more than 80 years, some of his fondest memories were of afternoons spent on the court with dear friends. Driver travelled to the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean on several medical mission trips. In his retirement, he adopted the hobby of painting landscapes and still life settings.