Obituary of Ronald Earl Rowe

Ronald Earl Rowe, PhD, age 77, a resident of Glenside, PA passed away on Monday, November 10, 2014 at Abington Memorial Hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. The husband of Marjorie Hope Scott Rowe, they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in August. Born in West York, PA, he was the son of the late Earl and Kathleen Stover Rowe. Ron was a graduate of West York High School class of 1955. In 1959, he earned a B.S. in Science Education from Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University). He later earned an MS for Teachers from Cornell University. Ron received a National Science Foundation Scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1970 where he earned a Supervisor of Science Education Certificate, after which he went on to receive a PhD in 1976. His career included teaching science at Octorara High School; Chemistry and Science Education Chair at Scott High School/Coatesville Area High School; running the chemistry lab and TA at the University of Wisconsin; Assistant Professor at Beaver College (now Arcadia University) for 13 years during which he earned tenure, served time as Education Chair and was awarded the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1986. Finally, he worked for 10 years at Unionville-Chadds Ford School District as Science Supervisor and a Physics teacher, retiring in 1999. Ron was active in Church all his life. Most recently, he was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church of Wyncote where he served as a Trustee and Elder. He served as an advisor of the Senior High Youth Group with Marjorie at Coatesville Presbyterian and Parkesburg Presbyterian. He was a Trustee at Christ Presbyterian, Madison WI. He joined Abington Presbyterian in 1976 and upon retirement joined Calvary. He also served on the Parkesburg, PA Library Board. Ron was a lover of family, reading, car races and jazz. In high school he played piano for a jazz band at the Youth Club in York, PA and in college he played with a combo for school dances. In addition to his wife he is survived by daughter Kimberly H. Rowe of Downingtown, PA; son Steven S. Rowe, husband of Dawn Dieterly Rowe, of North Hills, PA; and Karin L. Jackson, wife of Keith Jackson of Laurys Station, PA; grandchildren Larissa, Sabrina and Keira Rowe, Aleigha and Jacob Jackson and brother Richard Rowe, husband of Susan Rowe, of Henderson, NV; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Gary Rowe, husband of Bronwyn Rowe of Ivyland, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a service celebrating Ron's life at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 15, 2014, Calvary Presbyterian Church of Wyncote, 217 Fernbrook Ave, Wyncote, PA 19095, where relatives and friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. A reception will follow the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church of Wyncote or the MDS Foundation ( www.mds-foundation.org).