Elbert H. Rowlands

1932 - 2026

Elbert H. Rowlands (Bert), 93, of Stroudsburg, passed away on March 25, 2026 at Asbury Grace Park Senior Living, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. His wife of 71 years is Esther M. Hall Rowlands.

Born in Waverly, Pennsylvania on July 20, 1932, he was the son of the late William H. and Marion Reed Rowlands. He was a 1951 graduate of Clarks Summit-Abington Joint High School and a Veteran of the United States Army, from 1951 to 1954. While in Germany, he was a morse code INT, earning the Army of Occupation Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. Bert continued his education at Keystone Junior College (Associate in Arts), the University of Scranton (Bachelor of Science) and Newark State University now known as Kean University, where he earned a Master's degree in Teaching. He moved to New Jersey in 1958 and resided in Bridgewater for many years before moving to the Poconos in 1996. Prior to his retirement, he worked as a teacher for twenty-nine years and for Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance for 31 years.

Family was very important to Bert, and he lived for the annual Rowlands Reunions at the pond on his brother’s farm which started off with pub burgers and dogs Friday night as family was arriving from different states, Saturday a feast of grilled chicken, corn and clams, and clean up on Sunday.  

Bert’s favorite hobby was his Memorabilia Pub in his house where he collected memorabilia from family, years of teaching, Hartford Steam Boiler, anything he found interesting from antique shops and of course Snoopy as he was a huge fan.  He loved to entertain family and friends in his pub with a great selection of beer and wine and his favorite…a gin and tonic.  Pub burgers were always on the menu along with his stuffed mushrooms and seafood.  He was always playing music in his Pub and had an extensive CD collection of all different types of music. The past few years, as his eyesight grew dim, music was a great comfort to him.

Growing up on a farm, he had a love for animals.  People also enjoyed listening to his many stories he had to tell. 

Bert was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend.  He was intelligent, kind, very giving and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter Patty Snyder and her husband Tom of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; granddaughter Sarah Easterling and her husband Trevor; and great granddaughter Lucy; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

Bert was preceded in death by brothers Richard Rowlands, William Rowlands, Jr., Walter Rowlands, James Rowlands, and sister Ruth Brian.

A funeral with military honors will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit. Friends and family may pay their respects at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2 pm to 5 pm. A graveside service will be held on Friday at 11 am at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly Pa.

Memorial donations can be made to The First Baptist Church - Abington, 1216 N. Abington Road, Dalton, PA 18414.