Richard E. “Dick” Rowe, passed away Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, at the Veteran’s Home in Spokane, WA. Dick was born Aug. 3, 1924, to Abbott and Grace Rowe in Newburyport, MA, the youngest of four children.
At age 13, he attended the inaugural Boy Scout National Jamboree held in Washington, D.C., later graduating from Newburyport High School, and then attending Bordentown Military Institution in New Jersey on a music scholarship. During WWII, Dick served in Gen. George S. Patton’s 3rd Army artillery during the Battle of the Bulge. Returning home, he married Arolyn Houston of Haverhill, MA. They moved to Millwood in 1956, where they raised their three children, and enjoyed traveling to all the lower 48 states, plus Hawaii. When his two sons became active in scouting, he was the Hiking Merit Badge counselor for Troop 65 in Millwood, WA, and also an adult member of the Order of the Arrow, the BSA’s National Honor Society.
Dick retired from Kaiser (Mead) after 26 years. Later, he became an avid runner, completing 19 Bloomsday Races, as well as several half-marathons, and numerous fun-runs. He was a long-time member of Millwood Community Presbyterian Church.
Dick is survived by Arolyn, his beloved wife of 71 years, children James (Claudia) Rowe, Judith (Russell) Stone, John (Geri) Rowe, all of Spokane, 7 grandchildren Robert (Nicole) Stone, Michael (Marina) Stone, Brian Rowe, Douglas (Rebecca) Rowe, Sharon Rowe, Joshua (Hillary) Rowe, Joy Blizzard, and 13 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dick’s name can be made to Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, Stained Glass Window Project, 3223 N. Marguerite Rd., Spokane, WA, 99212. A special “Thank You” goes out to the caring and dedicated staff at the Veteran’s Home for their compassion, and for the wonderful care that Dick received.
A private family service will be held at Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA.
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