Richard T. Rowe's Obituary
Richard Thomas Rowe was born on March 17, 1930 in Champaign, IL to Clifford and Margaret Rowe and went to his Heavenly home on October 16, 2014 at the age of 84. He was a talented artist, loved to bowl and fish, and was very dedicated to his family, church family, loved ones and country. He was married to Norma for 42 years until her death in 1997. They had three children, Lynn, Tom and Stacy. He was married to Doris for 11 years until her death in 2009. He was an elder at Highland Park Christian Church for 40 years and truly enjoyed his service. Dick was the art instructor at HPCC where he taught numerous students how to paint with acrylics and how to enjoy fellowshipping while mastering their art. He was a member of the HPCC bowling team and bowled every Monday night basically since he moved to Tulsa in 1962. He was always recruiting anyone and everyone to come to church, come to paint class, and come to bowling. It didn’t matter if they were some random person he struck up a conversation with at the grocery store, or someone he’d known forever, he never gave up asking. He had a great love for pancakes, so he especially enjoyed his ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) group who met for breakfast regularly, and his Wednesday morning men’s breakfast group at the church. He was very proud of his service to his country in the Army National Guard, where he served along with his brother-in-laws Gene & Lee Kellenberger. He loved to fish, and his favorite fishing partners were his twin brother Bob Rowe, and his life long friend Kenneth Hampton. Oh the stories they could tell about their trips and the ones that ‘got away.’ He loved to watch football on TV, and most of the time he didn’t even care who was playing, as long as he could watch. He also enjoyed RC model airplanes. This love stemmed from his childhood, as his father enjoyed the hobby too (along with fishing.) With the help of his grandson Mark, he most recently purchased a Beech Staggerwing which reminded him of his dad. They were in the process of buying the necessary components to make it flyable, but in the meantime, had been practicing with another plane, which is in several pieces now. He is survived by his daughter, Lynn and husband Eddy, his son, Tom and wife Jean, his daughter Stacy, and his grandchildren Matt, Valerie, Mark, Melissa, Kelsey, Veronica, Leeann, Daniel, Rachel, Matt, a host of great-grandchildren, his twin brother, his sister, and many more dear family and friends, including his four legged loyal companion T-Bone. Viewing will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at Floral Haven on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 12:30.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Highland Park Christian Church Memorial Fund.
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