Ronald Mark Rowley

ROWLEY, Ronald Mark, had his final jump on July 4, 2009. HOOAH! Ron was born on January 6, 1951 in Knoxville, Iowa to Vinton and Elizabeth Rowley. He graduated with the first senior class of West High School in Iowa City in 1969 and from the United States Military Academy in 1973. Ron will be remembered for training innovations in the Grunewald of Berlin, on the winter slopes north of Vicenza, Italy, and at other training venues throughout Europe, Turkey, Panama, and Fort Benning during his 20-year career. Ron was an enthusiastic and accomplished chef. He drove his family crazy with his knowledge of historical and sports trivia. Ron believed in education and served as the President of the IAC for Dependent Schools in Panama and on the board of the N.B. Clements Junior High PTA in Prince George County. He enjoyed tutoring elementary school students in math and reading and assisting Boy Scouts master skills for merit badges. An avid sports fan, Ron cheered the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Cubs, the Green Bay Packers, and any team on which his children played. In the spring he enjoyed assisting the coach of a U10 soccer team. Ron was predeceased by his grandparents, Edith and Rex Rowley of Pella, Iowa and Gwennie and Harry Hayes of Knoxville, Iowa; and his uncles, Rusty Hayes and Norman Hodges. His father died on January 31st of this year. Ron is survived by his mother and his brother, Ross, who drove from Iowa to spend the last few days with him and Ross's family in Minneapolis, wife, Coleen, and children, Tess, Bette, Meg and Jeb. He is also survived by his aunts, Mari Jo Hodges of Texas and Sarah Hayes of Iowa, and their families. Ron is survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dave and Kathy Good of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and sisters-in-law, Judy Good of Nebraska and BJ Good of Iowa; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Ron will be missed most by his wife of 35 years, Jan, and their three children, Josh, Jill, and Katie. The family thanks Dr. Nicolato for her inspired and determined efforts for Ron and the compassionate and professional nursing staff of the ICU at Southside Regional Medical Center. A memorial service is planned during football season in Iowa City, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be directed to the USO, Inc., P.O. Box 96860, Washington, D.C. 20077-7677 or a charity of your choice.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.