May 21, 1933 – January 21, 2014
Col Al Rowe, 80, of Marietta, passed away Tuesday after a long struggle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Al was born in Dubuque, Iowa and was the only son of Eldon M. and Eldoras Hanson Rowe. He was a proud Iowa “Hawkeye” and graduated from the State University of Iowa in 1956 with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He entered the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lt. through the University’s ROTC Program. Al also received his Masters in Science degree from Iowa State University. Col Rowe also was a guest professor of Mathematics at the University of Alaska and the University of Maryland. He was a licensed Engineer in the states of Iowa, Alaska, Alabama and Georgia.
Col. Rowe served in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for over 29 years. During his years of service to his beloved country he had many proud assignments but most notably he was the Honor Graduate of the Marine Command & Staff College (1968), Commanded the 307th Engineer Battalion of the 82nd Airborne and was G4 of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, N.C. (1969-1971), was Deputy Commandant of the Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir, VA and served in combat during the Vietnam War (1968-69). Al’s military metals and decorations include the Legion of Merit (Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star with V device, Meritorious Service Metal (Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the National Defense Service Medal. He was also a Master Parachutist.
Upon his retirement from the Army, Al and his family moved to Marietta in 1983, where he worked for Lockheed as a Research Engineer. Al loved Georgia and Cobb County and was very much involved in many community endeavors. Al served four (4) terms as President of the GA Vietnam Veterans Alliance, Chapter One (Marietta), was President of the Society of American Military Engineers where he was awarded President Emeritus Chair in 2007, was a member of the American Legion Post 219 (Marietta) and was a member of the Military Officers Association of America (Atlanta Chapter).
Al also loved politics as he believed good government required exceptional leaders. He worked endlessly to help great men and women get elected to public office; and was proud of his contribution to making our county, state and national government work for the people. He served in many leadership roles in the Cobb County Republican Party and so enjoyed the friendships he made during his years of involvement in the Party.
Al is survived by his loving wife, Donna C. Rowe of Marietta; his sons, Richard of Marietta and John of Bend, OR; his sister Sally Stackis of Dubuque, IA and numerous nieces and nephews in Iowa, Arizona and Florida. He was loved by many more friends and comrades-in-arms; and he will be dearly missed by all who knew, admired and loved him.
The family will receive friends at a Visitation on Sunday, January 26th from 4:00- 7:00 PM at H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill Chapel, 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta 30068. Church Services will be on Monday, January 27th at 2:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Ave., Marietta 30064; Rev. Elaine Wilder officiating. Full Military Honors Burial will follow immediately after the service at Mt. View Park Cemetery, Marietta.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the GA Vietnam Veterans Alliance (G.V.V.A.), Chapter One, “HOLIDAY FOOD PROGRAM”,
P.O. Box 669215, Marietta, GA 30066.
Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, GA.
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