Alvin B. Rowe

Alvin B. Rowe

9/9/1940-04/01/2023

Most commonly known as “Al,” or “Bud,” short for “Rosebud” which was derived from his father’s nickname “Rosie” died peacefully at home with his wife by his side, releasing him into the Lord’s good and faithful hands.  He loved the Lord and was looking forward to being in his presence for all eternity.

He graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1958.  During high school, he delivered telegrams on his bike.   He attended University of Idaho from 1958-1960.  In the summer of 1960, he lived in a tent while working for the US Forest Service.  He built roads and was a flame jumper.  He was too little and skinny to fight fires so he was never sent to a fire.

Before becoming our beloved brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he served our country for four years (1962-1966) as a linguist in the United States Air Force.  As part of his training, he went to a Russian language school in Syracuse, New York.  He continued his education at Idaho State University from 1966-1968, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in business.

He asked his wife of 56 years to marry him on the second date because he thought she might say no on the first.  She reported that she wasn’t sure what she had gotten into when he slammed on the brakes, jumped out of the car and started shooting at a jackrabbit.  That was rural Idaho in the sixties!  They were married on June 18, 1966 in Omaha, Nebraska.  Their two children were born in Maryland; Alan in 1968 and Lorianne in 1972.

He was a cryptanalyst for the NSA (1966-1975), railroad worker for Union Pacific (1975 -1983), shoe and sporting goods salesman, General Dynamics and Lockheed (1983 – 1998), computer systems analyst for Computer Science Corp (1998-2003), published author of Life Lessons for Grandchildren, National Recreation Area Guide, Wheel of Fortune destroyer, (he would always solve the puzzle with only 2 letters up on the board and aggravate everyone) and an avid western watcher.  Growing up on the outskirts of the Idaho state fairgrounds, in Blackfoot, he was an active outdoorsman who loved and respected nature and animals much as the Native Americans would.  He loved to camp even in the winter with a foot of snow on the ground, “Why on earth would you do that?” His response would be, “No bugs.”  He grew up hunting and fishing wherever he lived or got the opportunity.  His final fishing trip was just off his dock only two weeks before his passing, where he caught three nice sized fish.

He was unassuming, humble, and full of laughter. He said later in life, I have no regrets, I’ve lived all over, met and worked with every sort of people from farm workers to CEOs.  God has richly blessed me in family and friends.  He had a heart transplant on January 2, 2008 after being on the transplant list for only 32 days.  He lived a life of joy both before and after his transplant.

“Al” was preceded in death by his father Francis Noel “Rosie” Rowe, mother Lily Elaine Rowe and his brother Douglas Rowe who was killed in action in during the Vietnam War while staying behind to save his platoon.  He is survived by his wife Julie Rowe, son Alan, daughter Lori and her husband Sean, brother Steve, sisters Elaine and Leslie, 7 grandkids and 3 great grandkids.

Military graveside was held at 10:30 AM, Monday, April 10, 2023 at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Acton.

Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or UTSW Heart, Lung, Liver, Kidney Transplant, 214-648-2344.