Roger Rowe

2025 - 2025

Roger Mayes Rowe, Age 84, of Westminster, died Monday, August 18, 2025, at his daughter's home. Born August 23, 1940, in Norfolk, Virginia into a Navy family, he was the son of Admiral Gordon and Doris LaViolette Rowe of Seattle, Washington. He was the beloved husband of Suanne Ruth Rowe, his wife of 58 years or as he would often say, "his better half." He was a loving and proud father of Jocelyn, Christopher, and Marjorie and Granpa and Bucka to Zenaida, Aidan, Evangeline, Therese, Lucy, and Mary Margaret as well as a beloved uncle to five nieces and five nephews.

Most of his childhood years were spent in Seattle, WA, but his family moved back east to Quonset Naval Air Station, RI, in 1944 where they lived until September 1945. For his high school years, Roger went to Kent School (Kent, CT), graduating in 1958. It was at Kent that he formed a lifelong friendship with Charlie Bieler as well as close ties with other classmates with whom he enjoyed reconnecting at Kent reunions. While there he was able to pursue his interest in competitive rowing, which continued into his college years at MIT where he was a member of the lightweight varsity crew that competed at the Henley Royal Regatta in July 1962. Roger majored in electrical engineering, was a member of Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi, graduating in 1962. He earned his MSEE at MIT in 1963, then served two years of active duty (1963-65) as an engineering duty officer on the USS Springfield, flagship of the 6th Fleet. Roger earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1969. His professional career focused on program management in electronic and information systems. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and maintained his membership in the above-mentioned fraternities.

Roger had such goodness that emanated from him, and it poured into the hearts of his children whenever he hugged them or smiled at them to offer encouragement. He loved to play games with his kids when they were growing up including Old Maid and Monopoly, working on puzzles, playing Chinese Checkers, reading stories and always spent his Saturdays taking care of the house, yard work or gardening. His family took it for granted that he could fix almost anything, being an electrical engineer. He also could tell you what classical piece of music was playing on the radio and sometimes who best played it! He had a mind like an encyclopedia, but he treated this gift as normal for the most part and generously imparted his knowledge to his kids - loving to teach them anything they asked. He also loved watching sports including the now Commanders and listening to O's games on the radio and taught them various sports - baseball, softball, tennis, badminton and most importantly, how to ride a bike. He enjoyed being a professional grandfather after retirement where his expertise in reading Richard Scarry's "Pepe La Gangster" to his kids while they were growing up then expanded with his readings of "Skippy John Jones" to his granddaughters.

Roger was received into the Catholic Church at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Libertytown, and was a member of St. John Roman Catholic Church in Westminster. He had a very strong Christian faith that deepened over the years, beginning when he gave his heart to Jesus when he was five years old. He led Bible studies with church senior high students and colleagues at work. He enjoyed singing in church choirs and listening to classical music, as well as fly fishing, puzzles, and reading. Time spent with his family was always special to him. In 2017, he and Suanne made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for their 50th wedding anniversary. They renewed their wedding vows at Cana and their baptismal promises in the Jordan River and they walked along the Via Dolorosa. Roger also had a beautiful spiritual experience in the Church of the Transfiguration.

More than anything, Roger would want everyone to know personally the hope, the joy, the perseverance, and the love that he had found in His Catholic Faith and Eucharistic Lord Jesus Christ. He loved to go to Mass daily whenever he could and made confessions, spiritual retreats - whatever it took to grow closer to his Lord Jesus. He would often quote "Seek the Lord while he wills to be found. Call upon Him while He is near" Isaiah 55:6.

In addition to his wife, Suanne, he is survived by his adult children, Jocelyn Rowe of Washington, D.C., Christopher Rowe and wife Lily of Parkville, MD and Marjorie Livingston and husband James of Westminster; 6 grandchildren, Zenaida, Aidan, Evangeline, Therese, Lucy, and Mary Margaret; five nieces and five nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, John and Bruce.

The family will receive friends at Hartzler Funeral Home - New Windsor, Thursday, August 21, 6 to 8 pm with a Divine Mercy Chaplet at 7:45 pm.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, August 22 at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster, MD at 11 am with a tribute read at 10:45 am. Father John Worgul will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Libertytown, MD. The family will host guests for a lunch in Westminster after the interment. Details will be announced at the Mass.

A message or memory may be placed on his "tribute wall" at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com Roger Rowe