Captain Claude Alexander Rowe, Jr., born on July 7, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan, to Louise Giscombe Rowe and Claude A. Rowe, Sr., passed away peacefully at age 97 on September 20, 2018, surrounded by his family, in Chula Vista, California.
Captain Rowe grew up in Detroit and attended Cass Technical High School where he exceled in his studies, ran track, participated in the ROTC program, and was their top marksman in shooting competitions.
After graduation, Captain Rowe attended Lawrence Institute of Technology. His curiosity about flying and love of mathematics led him to study Aeronautical Engineering at Lawrence Institute of Technology just outside of Detroit. Captain Rowe saw an opportunity to learn to fly and protect the country he loved after the outbreak of WWII and left school after his second year to join the fight for freedom.
Captain Rowe first tried to join the Army Air Corps. However, the armed services were segregated, and African Americans were not allowed in pilot training programs. Captain Rowe answered an ad in the paper by the Canadian Royal Air Force, which was seeking men for their pilot training program. He applied, completed the pilot training, and earned his pilot’s wings in late 1944.
The US Army Air Corps had started the Tuskegee Airmen Experiment to train African American men to become pilots. He entered the program in September 1945 and earned his pilot’s wings and the rank of second Lieutenant in June 1946. While in the Army Air Corps (renamed the US Air Force), he flew aircraft such as the WB-50 heavy bomber and B29.
He was assigned to post-war Germany and Japan, Korea (now South Korea), England, and the United States. Captain Rowe became a Weather Officer when the need for pilots had decreased, and retired from the USAF in 1966 as a Captain after twenty-one years of service. Captain Rowe was always thankful for and appreciative of the professional opportunities that the USAF provided him; opportunities that were not available to him in the civilian world because of his color. Captain Rowe was the only Tuskegee Airman authorized to wear the pilot’s wings of two countries: Canada and the United States.
He then served as bank branch manager and as a Vice President until his retirement from banking. Claude and Winifride loved to travel so he took positions as a tour coach driver, which allowed them to travel and get paid for doing so.
Captain Rowe was a strong proponent of education and continued taking college courses well into his 70’s because of his love of learning. He never lost his love for mathematics, science, science fiction, or chess. He also loved old western movies because the good guys always won. Captain Rowe had strong senses of fairness and right and wrong, and was fiercely loyal and dedicated to the USAF and country, all of which he instilled into his children and grandchildren. He was a soft-spoken man who was extremely calm under the most stressful situations. He was a perfect gentleman who was very well liked by those who knew him because of his kindness, thoughtfulness, and chivalry.
Then-Lieutenant Rowe met his beloved wife, Winifride Swinnerton, while stationed in England. They were married 67 wonderful years. Captain Rowe was preceded in death by their grandchildren Jessica Marien and Rowena Decilap. He is survived by his beloved wife, Winifride; their sons Claude A. Rowe, III (Sharon Hermann Rowe) and Harold Rowe; daughters Marlene Marien, Dorothy Rowe, Deborah Rowe, Sharon Richardson (Albert Richardson, II), Kristine Rowe, and Jacqueline Haslerig (Alfred Haslerig, Jr.); grandchildren Tamara Hanson McDaniel (Sean McDaniel), Stefan Hanson, Sabrina Sahakian (Vicken Sahakian), Winifride Marien, Erica Kimble (Daniel Dias), Audra Johnson (EJ Johnson), Ernest Rowe, Michael Marwan, Kristine Marwan, Claudia Mazzatta (Kevin Mazzatta), Albert Richardson, III, Ambroise Decilap, Jr., Ambre Decilap, Alfred Haslerig, III, Alyssa Haslerig, and Alexandra Rowe; and great-grandchildren Sydney Hanson, Tess McDaniel, Milaan Sahakian, Rohm Sahakian, Olivia Dias, Xander Mazzatta, Mia Mazzatta, Alessia Wilson, and Maximus Wilson; and his sisters Doris Weems and Matilda Foster. He was preceded in death by his sisters Gloria Rowe and Dorothy Lauchie.
Captain Rowe’s parents instilled in their children an enduring love of family. He always put the well-being of his family first and cherished the time he spent with his wife and children. Later in life, he loved playing with and entertaining his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Captain Rowe had a passion for science fiction and westerns, books, movies, and TV programs, chess, and all levels of mathematics, was a lifelong member of VFW and long term member of the San Diego Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Captain Rowe's name to Tuskegee Airmen Inc., General Benjamin O. Davis, San Diego Chapter Scholarship Fund, PO Box 120097, San Diego, CA
Friends and family members may attend the visitation on Thursday, October 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Chula Vista, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Thomas Hermann, III, at 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Funeraria Del Angel on Friday, October 5, 2018. Committal Services will follow at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at: www.humphreymortuary.com for the Rowe family.
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