Marvin LaVerne Rowley

Oct. 16, 1924 - Jan. 25, 2017

Marvin LaVerne Rowley was born Oct. 16, 1924 in Portland; he died Jan. 25, 2017 at the age of 92. His parents, Jesse and Agnes Rowley, moved their family to Tualatin in 1928. Marvin attended Tualatin Grade School and Sherwood High School, graduating in 1942. He entered the Army on Feb. 22, 1943 and served in the Cavalry and the 41st Infantry in the Philippines in World War II. Sgt. Rowley was discharged in March 1946.

Marvin married Marian Parker in Portland on Jan. 20, 1946. They moved to Corvallis in July 1946 where he attended Oregon State College in the School of Forestry. While attending college he built his house, and added two daughters to the family. As a senior he was awarded the Kelly Axe award as the senior who contributed the most to the school. He graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in Forest Engineering in June 1950. He then worked for Umpqua Plywood Corporation in Myrtle Creek, where his son was born.

In 1954, Marvin moved his family to Philomath where he and his brother-in-law started a logging company, Rowley and Parker Tree Farm Service. The company did contract logging in the Northwest, mostly for Oregon State University. In 1956, he purchased a 100-acre tree farm southwest of Philomath, where he grew Christmas trees, actively logged (until 2013!), and experimented with various crops over the years. A foster daughter joined the family for five years, and another daughter was born. In 1958, he received his Oregon Professional Forest Engineering and Professional Land Surveyors licenses. In 1973, he sold his interest in the logging company and accepted the position of Manager of the OSU McDonald Forest. This position included the opportunity to visit other forest operations in the United States, Europe, and South America. He retired on Dec. 3, 1986.

In 1955, Marvin committed his life to the Lord and served in many capacities in his church, Philomath First United Brethren, even preaching when needed. He was involved in Corvallis Christian Business Men, Child Evangelism, and went on many mission trips.

He served on the Philomath City Park Board, City Water Commission, and during the 1960s on the Philomath School Board. For many years he taught at Outdoor School for Philomath School District, and assisted with PHS Forestry classes and competitions. He was a member of the Corvallis Chamber of Commerce Natural Resource Committee for over 20 years.

Marvin became a widower in May 2006. Then on Nov. 24, 2007 he married a long-time family friend, June Pitts. The combined families blended well with having known each other since 1950.

Marvin was a member of the Society of American Foresters since 1950, and was elected a Fellow in 2009. He was a charter member of the Benton County Small Woodlands Association, and served as the Lincoln, Benton, and Linn county representative of the American Tree Farm Certification Committee. Marvin received the Tree Farmer of the Year a few times, and he spent many hours judging other tree farms for that award until his health declined about a year ago. In 2015, he was honored by the OSU Forestry Department with having a McDonald Forest road named for him – the road to McCulloch Peak.

Among his personal accomplishments were teaching, guiding, encouraging, and loving his 4 children and their families; inviting many to live with the family over the years – relatives, a foster daughter, a missionary's teenager, and hosting many missionary guests and exchange students; and hosting meals for his OSU Forestry students and continuing involvement in their lives.

Marvin is survived by his wife June Rowley of Albany; daughter Linda (Ralph) Conner of Philomath; daughter Joan Richter of Yelm, Washington; son Allen (Cora) Rowley of Corvallis; daughter Ronda (Mark) Reid of Mt. Lake Terrace, Washington; brother Dean (Ann) Rowley of Beaverton; sister Roberta Carson of Sutherlin; nine grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Marian, two brothers, two sisters, and one granddaughter.

A celebration of life was held Feb. 4 at the OSU Forestry Club Cabin at Peavy Arboretum on McDonald Forest in Corvallis. Donations can be made in his honor to Philomath Community Church for the Mission Fund or the Building Fund, P.O. Box 1567, Philomath, OR 97370. Please leave your memories and condolences for the family at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.