Bruce H. Rowe passed away peacefully on January 26th after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease, he finally succumbed to acute Covid illness. Bruce is preceded in death by his lovely wife of 57 years Margot Vitale Rowe, who passed away in December, 2020.
Bruce met his future wife Margot at a very young age as they were grade school classmates. Bruce escorted Margot to the 6th grade Sadie Hawkins dance, though they didn't start dating until they reconnected after college.
Bruce was a straight A student and salutatorian of his senior class of 1957 at Galesburg High School. He ran track, and his best event was the hurdles for the Galesburg Silver Streaks. He also was sports editor of the student newspaper.
Upon graduation, Bruce traveled to Evanston, Illinois to enroll at Northwestern University. A lifelong Wildcats fan, Bruce studied business and thrived socially while living in his Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house. He majored in business and also pursued ROTC officer training. He graduated in 1961 and Bruce traveled to San Diego to begin a 2 year stint aboard the USS Porterfield, a destroyer in the United States Navy's Pacific fleet that saw action in World War II. Bruce’s nickname aboard ship was “Duke.”
Midshipman First Class Bruce H. Rowe served as supply officer on the ship, ensuring the captain and crew had every necessary medicine, product, food and beverage required for lengthy missions at sea.
After discharging from the Navy, Bruce dated and soon married the love of his life Margot .Margot received her bachelor's degree from Purdue University and majored in Speech Therapy.
Newlyweds Bruce and Margot honeymooned in the Bahamas and moved to Boston, Massachusetts so that he could enroll at Harvard University graduate school. Bruce earned his MBA in business management and accepted a job offer in Minneapolis.
Bruce and Margot raised two children, Brian and Joy, and returned to Galesburg so that Bruce could join the family business Rowe Manufacturing which produced farm fencing, gates and commercial and residential garage doors. Bruce's grandfather Alvin founded the business and at its peak employed over 250 individuals in Galesburg.
The Rowe family of four moved to Cincinnati in spring of 1979 where they have lived for the past 40 years. Bruce purchased and co-managed a successful greenhouse manufacturing business called Rough Brothers for 15 years. In the early nineties Bruce went on to purchase the Mason Company in Leesburg, Ohio, which specializes in dog kennel and small animal enclosures. Bruce ran Mason Company with his son-in-law David. He loved his work and especially his co-workers and employees who became his extended family. His cheerful, easy going demeanor coupled with a very diligent work ethic and principled sense of business decorum was a perfect recipe for a successful career in the greater Cincinnati area. His motto was “You’ve got to put in the time.”
Bruce cherished his weekly Saturday morning breakfast with his friends at Bob Evans restaurant where he and his peers would chat and "solve the problems of the world." His witty sense of humor made him a popular member of his peer group.
Bruce's "superpower" was his empathy and compassion for others. He was never happier than he was when a friend, grandchild or loved one achieved an accomplishment or milestone, and Bruce became energized and filled with pride. He savored the successes of others as much as if they were his own.
An old school gentleman, Bruce would always hold a door for a lady or help her be seated at a dinner table. Despite the deficit that dementia inflicted on him, Bruce’s good will and kindness to others remained as strong as ever.
Bruce's primary hobbies have always included sports and music. He enjoyed singing at church and played organ and electric piano for years. His favorite Broadway musical was Les Miserables, and he also loved pop music icons like ABBA and Neil Diamond.
Bruce enjoyed playing golf with his friends and family and attended games and school productions that his grandchildren John and Caroline participated in.
On retirement, Bruce and Margot traveled the world with friends and family to almost every continent, and favorite destinations of theirs included Wyoming, China, Egypt, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, and Italy.
Bruce is survived by his brother Howard, his daughter Joy, son Brian, and grandchildren John and Caroline, and nephews David and Michael.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Episcopal Retirement Services Center for Memory Support and Inclusion. Gift may be sent to ERS Foundation, 3870 Virginia Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45227 or made online at www.ersfoundation.org
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