William Rowekamp

1930 - 2019

Rowekamp, William William Henry Rowekamp passed away on Sept. 12, 2019. "Bill" was born in Marietta, OH on Feb. 20, 1930. He was selected All-state in football and basketball at Marietta High School. He attended West Point where he played football and basketball. After his sophomore year, he transferred to the University of Missouri to complete his education. Despite being drafted in the third round by the Chicago Bears, he chose to play Canadian football where he won two Grey Cup Championships with the Edmonton Eskimos. Re-entering the Army to complete his tour of duty, he coached the 64th Artillery Division football team to a championship. He was then selected to coach the East All-Star team and won the All-Divisional Championship. In 1957, Bill came to Western Michigan University to coach football and to join the physical education staff as an instructor. He retired from coaching in 1980 and from teaching in 1990. Bill married Dorothy Joan Masters, his wife of sixty years, in 1951. He is survived by five children; Cole (Cindy) of White Lake, Kim (Denise) of Mattawan, Kyle of Columbia TN, Craig (Patricia) of Grandville and Kelly (Christine) of Kalamazoo. Bill has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Michigan at 29777 Telegraph Road, Suite 1651, Southfield, MI 48034.