Rowland Millar Butler

The  fiinal curtain has been drawn for Rowland Millar Butler; father, entertainer, teacher, mentor to many and friend to everyone. Rowland was born May 4, 1939, and passed away on February 14, 2017. He was preceded in death by his mother Florence; father Arvid; and son Jason. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Butler; son Brandon A. Butler; grandsons Gabriel and Samuel; and step-children Heather, Shawn, Christie, and Wendell.

Rowland fell in love with dance at a very young age. He began dancing at the age of six, and taught dance till almost the very day he passed. He toured as a guest instructor and performer in the United States, South America, and Asia. He was one of the charter members of Ballet West and the Utah Ballet. He was an Assistant Professor of Ballet and Theater at the University of Utah, and resident Choreographer at Pioneer Memorial theater for 18 years. He was the owner and operator of Butler Dance Academy for 3 decades, where he taught tap, ballet and Jazz, to hundreds, if not thousands of students. His students have performed on and off Broadway, such as Cats, A Chorus Line and Les Miserable; in movies such as Footloose, and For the Boys; T.V; in Las Vegas; and various road companies

In his retirement, he went on to teach at various Public schools, continuing his commitment to the arts by developing programs for Arts Education. He was the  first Professional to be awarded an Eminence Teaching Certification from the Utah State Board of Educations in June of 2005. Rowland spent his entire 77 years of life dedicated to bringing joy, and to bettering the lives of others' through dance, and by just being himself. Rowland was beloved by many, and loving each of them in return with all he could give.

A Celebration of Rowland's life will be held at the Marriott Center for Dance on February 26th 2017 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of Flowers please make donations to the Rowland Butler Memorial Fund, https://www.youcaring.com/rowlandbutler-751294/ update/601580?fb_action_ids=1419837664702520&fb_action_ types=youcaringcom%3Apost.