Melvin David Rowley

Melvin David Rowley Melvin Rowley passed away far too early at the young age of 79 Thursday morning June 27th at the Utah Valley Medical Center. That night his family tearfully said goodbye to a man who was an inspiration. Born January 3rd 1934 to David Lyman Rowley and Mary Prestwich Rowley, Melvin lived the majority of his life in Orem. He had a fierce work ethic and truly loved the gift of life. Melvin is survived by his favorite running partner and sweet loving wife Karin, his children, Danny (deceased), Vickie, Darren and Jason; and his step children Sarah Diem, Julie DePalma, Heather Lawson, Josse Tabiasson, Strider Diem, Ericka Diem, Carly Westmoreland. His brother Dwayne, and his sisters Ann, Gayla, and Kathy, as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Since his mid-forties Melvin had been an avid runner. Clearly he must have had a hatred for new and shiny running shoes. He personally destroyed innumerable pairs by beating them relentlessly on the roads and trails in and around Utah Valley with occasional trips to the Boston marathon as well as various and sundry locations in the western states, including Death Valley. His favorite place to abuse a pair of shoes was on scenic courses of the St George Marathon, which he completed 30 times. He never bragged about his accomplishments, but would eagerly give running advice to any and all who asked. He completed sixty marathons and hundreds of other races all of them finished in the top 5 of his age group. One wonders if he ever bought a new shirt in the last forty years as race t-shirts kept him in fresh threads. Passionate about the things he loved he earned countless awards in athletics, could weld with arc or gas, drive heavy machinery, hook a trout by the tail if it wasn't hungry, and build his own "Tote Goat" (off road cycle), and race it in Provo Canyon. Melvin loved to explore the mountains, rivers, and as he would say, "cricks" (creeks) of Utah Valley. He would recount to his family several brushes with death during his youth. These included the time he attempted to cross Utah Lake on ice skates during a spring thaw or the time he slid his Harley on a patch of gravel into oncoming traffic. While travelling around the valley he joyfully pointed out where these boyhood adventures occurred, and tracts of land once owned by old man so and so, and how he had to cross there, or climb this or that trail, to get to the best fishing holes and camping spots. As young man Melvin enlisted in the Army and served the majority of his time in Alaska where he rose to the rank of Sergeant despite dangers posed by -50 degree temperatures and lousy food. When he returned home to Orem he worked as a crane operator at the Geneva Steel plant and took odd jobs including truck driving and construction to heroically support his family during the plants periodic closings. Photography became his favored pastime when not aggressively testing the long distance running capabilities of his 70+ "elderly" body with various spare parts installed in the circulatory system by the good doctors of the Veterans Administration. He spent the last ten years chasing scenic vistas, wildlife, and fellow runners with his deluxe digital camera. He would travel to the remote corners of the state to photograph and see with his ever sharp eyes the landscapes of the best state in the country. Melvin loved spending time with his adult children and grandchildren. He also would be seen growing his own produce as ornamental vegetation around his perfectly maintained home, and, as his rock garden didn't satisfy him, last April he chose to move all the boulders by himself into a more esthetically pleasing arrangement. After which, darn it, he was just so sore he had to take a break and couldn't spend the afternoon running up the canyon pipeline trail with his buddies. Melvin touched the lives of hundreds as a primary teacher in the Lakeview 2nd Ward for over 30 years. A calling he always loved and would have kept until last Sunday. He inspired hundreds of others to live healthier lives cause, hey if that old guy is running, what's your excuse? For never has a 79 year old man ever filled a pair of lycra running pants so handsomely. Services for Mel will be held this Friday July 5th at 11:00 AM at the Lakeview Stake Center 1800 South 400 West, Orem. A viewing for friends and family will be held that same morning and location from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Run on road warrior run on, Run on trail master run on. The wind is your road the sky is your trail. No longer are you hampered by age or creaking joints, you are free!