Donald W. Rowe

Age: 76

Donald W. Rowe passed away on January 17th, 2017 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida from a brain injury resulting from a fall. Don was born in Yonkers, N.Y. on July 31, 1940 the second son of Harry and Agnes Rowe. He graduated from Gorton High School and Manhattan College and completed graduate studies at Columbia University and NYU. He had a long and fulfilling career teaching English and directing theater at colleges and Universities in Ohio, Maine, and Vermont. His lifelong passion was all aspects of the theater including directing, acting, and attending. He directed over 60 college and community productions and starred in some of his favorite plays including Hamlet, Equus, Macbeth, King Lear, Coriolanus. He taught English and directed theater at Champlain College in Burlington, VT for over two decades and inspired countless young people in the love and craft of acting and theater. During his tenure at Champlain College he produced original adaptations of East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause. He also directed community theater at the Unadilla Theater, the Vermont Repertory Theater, the Stowe Theater Guild and the Shelburne Players. He attended the Stratford, Ontario Theater Festival over 30 consecutive years and was a season ticket holder for local theater groups wherever he lived. Few people loved or had greater knowledge of theater than Don.

His passion for theater was almost equaled by his love of movies. He had encyclopedic knowledge of directors, actors, and productions and shared his infectious passion with friends and family. His home is a library of books, CDs, and recordings of his favorite theater and movie productions.

Don is survived and forever loved by his four siblings, David Rowe and his wife Ellen, Frances Rowe, Susan Rowe and her husband Ib, and Will Rowe and his wife Theresa—all who live in Vero Beach, Florida. Donald was an inspiring uncle to his nieces Alison, Amy, and Alyssa and his nephew Chris and their families. He also showed interest and caring to his step-niece and step nephew, Carol Cowan and Chris Jones. He always zeroed in on the happenings of the young lives in the family.

A memorial gathering for Don will be held in the community room of Trinity Episcopal Church, 5171 Shelburne Road in Shelburne Village, VT at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 29th. Friends are invited to come and share memories, tributes, readings, and theatrical monologues or scenes, especially from the many plays in which Don was involved as a director and/or actor. Refreshments will be served and contributions in that regard are welcome. For details or if you would like to sign up in advance for a reading, contact Robbie Harold at [email protected].

To honor Don's life, people are invited to make a contribution to the Shelburne Players, 274 Hullcrest Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482.

"He was a man, take him for all in all. I shall not look upon his like again."

Visit burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries to Express condolences and sign the guest book.

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Published by The Burlington Free Press on Jan. 19, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Rowe

Sponsored by Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory.

5 Entries

Diane McManus

July 31, 2025

I came upon this site thinking of his birthday today, July 31, 2025. It had been so long since I heard from him and was thinking of him, thinking of the deep, lasting influence he had not only on my college years but beyond in graduate school in English. Inspired by him, I pursued and received a Ph.D. currently, I teach English at Community College of Philadelphia. So much of this was sparked by his belief in me, and I reconnected with him during his time in VT. However, sadly, we fell out of touch. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. At the same time, reading of his accomplishments motivates me to persevere in my work with students, renew my energy. At 74, sometimes I want to retire, but at the same time value the liveliness of colleagues and students.

Thank you, Don. I hope somewhere your spirit is reading this.

Audrey Holm-Hansen

January 27, 2017

Don Rowe was my teacher in a public speaking class at CCV. It's been 20+ years since taking that class and I still remember his vibrant teaching style. He made the class interesting. Sincere condolences to his family.

mary ann fuiller young

January 20, 2017

Donald taught me to more fully enjoy life. He inspired me to explore all of the arts. We traveled together to theatres, art museums, and outdoor ballet presentations at Tanglewood. Thank you, Donald.

Condolences too Donald's beloved family and circle of friends and acquaintances.

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

January 19, 2017

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

Laurie LawrencePepin

January 19, 2017

Sorry for the families loss. Don taught me so much about plays and movies. What he taught me has lasted my entire life. He was one of my favorite professors.

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