Robert Donald Rowe was born a breech birth at home on March 30, 1932 in Shreveport, LA. He walked through heavens gate July 6, 2019 in Shady Cove, OR from the comfort of his own bed.
Robert was a passionate reader of current events, biographies and history. He enjoyed watching college football games and working in his yard and woodshop. Building, remodeling and landscaping were his favorite hobbies.
He attended Atkins Ave Elementary School and graduated from C. E. Byrd High school in 1950. Both schools reside in Shreveport, LA. In January of 1952 he joined the US Navy and served four years of regular duty. He completed his basic training in San Diego California and served two years in Subic Bay, the Philippine Islands and one and a half years at the Submarine base in Honolulu, HI. He then completed four years of inactive duty. He held multiple jobs in his youth. For piano lessons, he cleaned flowerbeds; growing watermelons won him a trip to San Antonio. He had a paper route, made rubber stamps at a printing company; stocked and sold stationary, delivered ice (hardest job ever). He laid carpet and tile with his brother-in-law, had his own upholstery shop where he once traded his services to provide his three son’s a go-cart, ran a horse boarding ranch in Poway Ca., remodeled houses, and owned the second 7-11 store in Escondido Ca.
In 1956 he started working for the US Postal Service in Shreveport La. as a mail sorter and carrier. After moving to California in 1968 he worked as a Supervisor in Poway, then in 1972 was promoted to Postmaster at Del Mar, where he personally delivered Desi Arnaz’ mail for full satisfaction guaranteed. He also served as Postmaster at Escondido, Solano Beach, Carlsbad, La Mesa and Encinitas, all located in California until finally retiring in July 1986. During this time he also served as Energy Coordinator for San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties, spending part of his time at Postal headquarters in Washington, DC.
Unbeknown to many, Robert was a selfless and generous giver to multiple ministries and missionaries.
Robert was preceded in death by his father Frank Steele, Sr., his mother Ida Ella who raised six children on her own, brothers Frank Steele, Jr., Philip Frederick and his sister Melba June Riggs.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Barbara, three sons: Stephen of West Palm Beach, FL, Gary of Spring, TX, Bruce from Oceanside, CA, and daughter Linda of Bossier City, LA. He also survived by seven grandchildren, Stephen Mark, Jr., Brandy, Brian, Jason, Cody, Aaron and Brianna, and seven great grandchildren: Andrea, Rebecca, Sara, Carson, Greycin, Kohen and Elijah.
Brothers, Richard of Spring, TX and Larry of Shreveport, LA., also survive him.
In addition, seven stepchildren survive him: Christy, Robyn, Robert Jr, Penny, Julie, Melanie and Cathy.
Robert enjoyed the last years of his life with the most wonderful person in the whole world, his wife Barbara who he loved and doting on above all others once again leaving a godly example of Christ and His bride the church. She is the most devoted and compassionate person he ever met. He continually thanked GOD for bringing them together for those most precious of years. They traveled to Italy, Azores and the Pacific Islands, to name a few, and truly enjoyed their time together.
Robert and Barbara have enjoyed worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Trail Christian Fellowship for the last 20 years. Robert’s service will be at Trail Christian Fellowship in the Fireside room on Friday July 12th, 2019 at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Eagle Point National Cemetery on Monday July 15th, 2019 at 1:00pm.
Death is simply putting out a candle because morning has come.
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