Robert G. Rowe

Bob passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on the morning of October 20, 2012 – just 23 days short of his 93rd birthday. He never regained his stamina after a bout with pneumonia in August.

An extremely generous, hardworking, selfless and thoughtful man, Bob will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He leaves behind his wife, June, of 65 years and his three children Robert A., Richard, and Barbara (fiancé Larry). His grandchildren include Sarah (Adam) Drew, Brianne (Derek) Stewart, Becky (Justin) Cox, Micah (Alexis) Rowe, Kenny (Jaime) Rowe, Leslie Berkseth and Dan Berkseth. Great grandchildren include Kaitlyn and Cierra Drew, Bethany, Spencer, and Madelyn Stewart, and Brady and Jenna Cox. Bob’s sister, Lois Latzko, resides in the Tri Cities.

Bob was born November 12, 1919 in Brookston, Indiana to Mary and Elmer Rowe. He moved a lot while growing up but loved his high school years in Sandpoint, ID where he graduated in 1938. He partnered with Royal Shields and started Van’s creamery before being inducted into World War II and serving in the Navy on the USS Isherwood. After serving in the war, Bob drove to Nebraska to marry his sweetheart, June, on July 16, 1947 and came back to Coeur d’Alene and the creamery business where he began to put down roots and start a family. The Rowes moved to the Spokane Valley in 1956 and Bob commuted back and forth to Coeur d’Alene for many years.

Bob was such a thoughtful guy, always going out of his way to provide and care for his family, shovel or blow snow for neighbors and be the best husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend he could be. Bob would never think of asking for anything of others, but was right there volunteering his skills and time to build church additions or help with Habitat for Humanity. He was a lifelong blood donor as well.

Being a devout church and family man, Bob was a member of, and regularly attended, Spokane Valley Baptist Church. The sport he loved to participate in was bowling. He was in three leagues and actively bowled until his body could no longer support him. The score sheet of a game in which Bob bowled one spare and the rest strikes is framed and displayed at his home to this day. He had also obtained a pilot’s license and flew small planes as a young adult in North Idaho.

Bob enjoyed cars and had lived long enough to enjoy the last years of Model T production and the beginning of the Model A. Many a family vacation was taken in the blue 1959 Chevy station wagon and we all loved his Volkswagen bugs!

We want to thank all of Bob’s good friends for their loyalty and love – many, in fact most, have gone before him. He never forgot a name or face or generous act of kindness. We hope that Bob’s compassionate demeanor and unselfish life serves as an inspiration to others. We want to give special thanks to his favorite caregiver over the past few years – Val Turpen – who attended to his every need and whom he adored. He will never forget his puzzle buddy, Lori, either!

Viewing to be held at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA on Friday, November 9th from 4 – 8 PM. Memorial service to follow at Thornhill Valley Chapel, Saturday November 10, 2012 at 3 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Spokane Valley Baptist Church, Habitat for Humanity, or the charity of your choice.