Clifford Rowe

Rowe, Clifford Rowe, Clifford Eugene, age 89, passed into eternity on Monday, August 08, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron Howard and Anna Mae; and his sister, Shirley Fieldbinder, of Urbana, Illinois. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Dolores Ann (Ludwick) Rowe; his sons, Curtis (Margie), Scott (Julie), and Michael (Terry). Seven Grandchildren; Trevor (Kimberly) Rowe, Kimberly (Paul) Ladewig, Phillip (Rachel) Rowe, Tyler C. (Ashley) Rowe, Tyler (Laura) Biggins, Kyle Rowe and Michael Rowe. Three Great Grandchildren; Tucker and Gavin Biggins, and Beckett Ladewig. Three nieces and two nephews. Clifford was born December 27, 1926 in Champaign Illinois. He was known as Gene to his classmates, fellow servicemen, and his close relatives in Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. He served in the United States Army. He was inducted in 1944 and was stationed in Japan in late August of 1945. Clifford was Honorably Discharged in November of 1946. He graduated from the University of Illinois-Champaign earning a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture in 1950. Long live Chief Illiniwek. He was hired in 1950 by the City of Grand Rapids as a Registered Landscape Architect working in the City Planning office and later the Department of Parks and Cemeteries. Some of his noted projects included the improvements to the John Ball Park Zoo during the early 1960s and the City-School Playground Partnership during that same period. Clifford was the past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. In 1981, after he retired from the City, Clifford was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State of Michigan Licensing and Registration Board for Landscape Architects. He chaired that Board until 1989. Dad was an avid archer, bowler, fisherman, bow hunter, golfer and talented artist. He was always well dressed, and a hands-on worker. Clifford was an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ, since 1963, serving on the church council and property committee. He will be missed greatly by his family. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1934 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Visitation will be at the church before the memorial service beginning at 10:00 a.m.