Lee Troutner
Founder of Davis’ Pub in Eastport was official photographer of several Maryland governors, including Agnew, Mandel, Hughes
Lee Troutner, founder of Davis’ Pub in Eastport who had been a photographer for Maryland’s governors, died of a heart attack Aug. 28 at his home in Treasure Island, Florida. He was 80.
Born in Baltimore and raised in Hamilton, he was the son of Thomas Lee Troutner, a National Bohemian Brewery worker, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth. He attended St. Dominic
School and Baltimore City College. He moved to Annapolis in 1966.
After serving in the Coast Guard, he embarked on a long career in photography, which included working for The Baltimore Sun, The Evening Capital, The Associated
Press and the Republican National Committee.
Mr. Troutner was the official photographer of multiple governors of Maryland, including Spiro T. Agnew, Marvin Mandel, Blair Lee and Harry Hughes. He left the post in 1980.
Some family members met at Davis’ Pub recently to look at old pictures and reminisce.
Tim Troutner, his son, remembers tagging along with his dad to a lot of sporting events. He went to Orioles World Series games and remembers being at the Navy football game
when Tony Dorsett became the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher.
“Being able to tag along to any sporting event was great for me as a young kid,” his son said.
The father had a lot of jobs. He bought Davis’ Pub and had $8,000 with which to renovate it. The community pitched in to help him build it, his son said.
Mr. Troutner owned the pub from 1986 to 1996 before it was purchased by John Brock.
Matt Cavanaugh, Mr. Troutner’s son-inlaw, said he made the bar a popular Eastport gathering spot.
Mr. Brock said Mr. Troutner went to the pub every day and talked to everyone. A lot of sailors would stop into the pub and it was a favorite of locals.
“He built the reputation here where everyone can be comfortable,” his son said. “He made this place feel like home, especially for all the travelers.”
Mr. Brock thought he knew everything about the restaurant industry until Mr. Troutner took him under his wing.
“He made sure I took care of the customers. That was his number one thing, that the customers were always right,” Mr. Brock said. “Being a part of the community is a lesson he taught me and that I take to heart.”
Mr. Troutner came up with a saying that is still on the windows of the pub: “Where there are no strangers. Just friends you haven’t met.”
“He was always a forward thinker,” Mr. Cavanaugh said.
His daughter, Jennifer Cavanaugh, said her father took his love for boating and helped start the United States Sailboat Show with Peter Carroll.
Ms. Cavanaugh, Mr. Troutner’s daughter, said her father taught her a good work ethic and was fun to be around and go out with. He always called people “pal,” she said.
Mr. Troutner’s son said his father taught him many things, including how to treat everyone equally and to be there for people when they are going through tough times.
“He looked out for everyone more than himself and it showed when I went down to Florida, he was a lot sicker than he let on,” his son said. “He didn’t want us to worry about him.”
A public memorial will be held at Davis’ Pub on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Survivors include his son, Tim Troutner of Annapolis; a daughter, Jennifer Troutner Cavanaugh, also of Annapolis; two sisters, Gloria Hall of Bel Air and Ronnie Behan of Parkville; a brother, John Troutner of Florida; and seven grandchildren.