Dr. Ernest Ras Rowe

Dr. Ernest Ras Rowe passed away on April 9, 2012, at his home at Atria Villas in Chandler, Arizona. He was born on July 19, 1933 in the town of Cedar Glades, near Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Stephen Paul and Emma Leathia Rowe. He attended elementary and middle schools in Arkansas. His family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1947 where Ras continued his education at Phoenix Union High School. He described his years at school as enjoyable experiences and had much admiration and respect for his teachers. During high school he was a delegate to Boys' State and was a member of several organizations including National Honor Society. He continued his education at Arizona State University where he was elected vice-president of the Sophomore Class, was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa & Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, and was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He graduated in 1955 with distinction, receiving a BS degree in economics and management. While Ras attended Arizona State University he had been a member of the ROTC and completed the requirements to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. He served in the military for two years with the rank of second lieutenant. Stationed in Mannheim, Germany, he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division and served as the Tank Platoon Leader and Executive Officer.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Ras continued his education at Arizona State University where he obtained a Master's degree in Education in 1962 and a Doctorate in Education in 1966. He also completed post-doctoral and Sabbatical studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and at Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland. Ras taught in the Garden Grove, California, school district for two years as a 6th grade teacher. He then accepted a position at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, where he was a professor in the College of Education for 28 years. During those years he also served as chairman of the faculty senate and as a member of the Idaho Task Force on Higher Education. He was a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians and served as a parliamentarian for the university. His distinguished career also include an appointment by two governors as an Idaho Commissioner to the Education Commission of the States (from 1979 to 1993), and being listed numerous times in Who's Who in American Education and Who's Who in America. Ras was accepted into the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and was an active Mason for many years while living in Pocatello. Ras also became a member of Rotary International in 1972. He served as president of the Pocatello Rotary club 1981-82. He continued his Rotary service in Arizona, serving as assistant district governor 1998-1999 and as President of the Chandler Rotary club 2002-2003. Ras is most remembered, however, for his dedication to the educational programs of Rotary and for his many years as the District 5510 chairman of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship and World Peace Scholar programs.

Ras married Jeannette Christy in 1969. As educators, they both enjoyed teaching at ISU and also traveling to various countries in the world. They were divorced in 1994. In 1995 Ras married Carla Dirk and moved in that year from Idaho to Arizona to enjoy his retirement years. Together they enjoyed the many cultural opportunities in the metropolitan Phoenix area and traveling, including exploring sights in Australia, Japan and Italy. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2007.

Ras is a member of the St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and is survived by his ex-wife, Carla Rowe-Malcolm. There will be a Visitation, Sunday April 15, 2012 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Carr-Tenney Mortuary, 2621 S. Rural Road, Tempe Arizona. The Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 16, 2012 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 901 W. Erie St. Chandler, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Carr-Tenney Mortuary, Tempe, Arizona. Condolences may be made at www.carrtenneymortuary.com.