Robert Rowell

1930 - 2026

Robert Rowell
02/16/1930 - 01/03/2026
Robert William Rowell passed away peacefully in Palo Alto, CA, on January 3, 2026, six weeks shy of his 96th birthday, with his loving family surrounding him during his final hours.
Bob was born in the Presidio in San Francisco on February 16, 1930, the only child of Sarah (née Niederlitz) and Robert Percival Rowell. Except for a short stint in Virginia for his father's military work and his time in the Marines, Bob lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area his entire life. He attended Grant Elementary, Lowell High School, and UC Berkeley, and resided in just four cities over the years: San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto, and Atherton. He was happily married to Jeanese Rowell (née Crist) for nearly 60 years before her death in 2016, and they raised seven children, who had blessed them with 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren at the time of Bob's death. A stockbroker by profession, he retired only recently, letting his last few clients know in October that he was finally shutting down his office.
To his children and grandchildren, Bob's life was a dazzling demonstration of living history. His father fought in WWI, in Siberia, and came to San Francisco's Presidio when the war ended. His mother came to San Francisco to see the World's Fair. After they met and married, the family lived in or just outside the Presidio for all of Bob's childhood. He vividly remembered the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge because he and his boy scout troop walked across it as part of the festivities. He fondly recalled summer days at Julius Kahn Playground, where young boys would gather for daily basketball and baseball, all organized by the kids themselves. He was a radio Quiz Kid, particularly talented in the trivia category. He worked as a "runner" during WWII, which meant he delivered messages back and forth at night in the purposely blacked out streets of San Francisco. He was valedictorian and 1948 class president at Lowell High School in the days when he and some of his classmates graduated in February. He attended Cal (class of 1952), played on the basketball team, joined Phi Gamma Delta, and studied pre-law. He was accepted into law school, but because of the Korean War, he opted for the Marines and the officer training program at Quantico. At 6' 5¾", he just barely made it under the Marines' height maximum of 6' 6", and he served as a Rifle Company Commander for Easy Company for three years. Once married, he and Jeanese hosted the first Rowell Family Big Game Tailgate at Stanford in 1956-and the tradition has continued for decades, with Bob welcoming guests at the 2025 Tailgate just a few weeks ago. He was in the stands for The Play in 1982. He was present for opening day for the Giants at Seals Stadium (1958), Candlestick Park (1960), and Pacific Bell (now Oracle) Park (2000), and he was at Candlestick for the World Series Game when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck (1989).
But all these experiences were secondary to him. For Bob, it was always about the people he experienced them with-his friends and, most importantly, his family.
Bob married Jeanese in 1956 and they shared a wonderful life in Palo Alto, the hub of which was their house on Coleridge Avenue, where they lived from 1962 until her passing. With seven children and Jeanese's family close by, they were busy and fulfilled. Bob and Jeanese were long-time members of the Menlo Circus Club, spending countless hours at the club and on the tennis courts. They were fortunate to spend time in summer at Pinecrest Lake, and time in winter in Sun Valley, Idaho. They traveled to Europe and Africa.
In more recent years, Bob enjoyed quality time with his children and grandchildren. Frequent dinners, family gatherings, and sports events allowed his grandchildren, now mostly adults, to share their lives with him while basking in his support and love.
Bob commuted from Palo Alto to San Francisco for more than 50 years, working market hours, which allowed him an early finish to the day and frequent lunch visits to the Washington Square Bar and Grill and, later, Moose's. He was a member of Washbag softball team, and then Moose's softball team, Les Lapins Sauvages, that traveled the world to play games against other unusual softball teams, including games in Russia, Cuba, Florence, the Field of Dreams in Iowa, and many MLB ballparks. Herb Caen, also a member of the team, memorialized Bob's "first homerun in Russia" and the many capers of this illustrious group in his daily column in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Sports were an ever-present part of Bob's life, and he loved playing, watching, and discussing sports with friends and family. Besides his own athletic career, which after basketball at Cal included many years of tennis, softball, skiing, and golf, he was a lifelong and avid Giants, 49ers, Warriors, and Cal (any sport) fan-and a fan of whatever sports his children and grandchildren were playing. And they played a lot! Bob's children and grandchildren played collegiate football, tennis, baseball, water polo, swimming, rugby, and soccer, all of which kept him busy and made him so proud.
Bob was a remarkable friend. He kept in regular touch with friends from all parts of his life: grammar school classmates, Lowell classmates, Cal classmates, Cal FIJI fraternity brothers, fellow Marines, neighbors, Bohemians, former work colleagues, and more. He remained involved with his Cal Class of 1952 up until his death, leading reunions and annual lunches at Trader Vic's over the 73 years since graduation. One of Bob's favorite pastimes was dominoes; he was an extraordinary player, but it was his fellow players and the social aspect of the game that he enjoyed the most. He picked up golf later in life and played regularly until last year; his weekly golf group were dear friends. Bob was a member of the Bohemian Club (Monastery), the Menlo Circus Club, and the Palo Alto Men's Club, all of which blessed him with him wonderful friendships. Bob recently told his granddaughter that when he would lie down to go to sleep, he would pick a group of friends and remember their names and details about them as best he could-one night he might try to recall his 3rd grade class, another night he might recall his fraternity pledge brothers, and a third night he might recall his colleagues from his first job. He said he did this to challenge himself but also because it reminded him of how lucky he was to have such great friendships over his lifetime.
Bob's many friends will remember him as stalwart, loyal, and thoughtful. His family will remember him as loving, supportive, and generous. All will remember him as a true gentleman who lit up a room when he entered and treated all people, no matter their walk of life, with respect.
Bob Rowell was predeceased by his parents, his wife Jeanese, his daughter Tess, and his son-in-law Chris Badger (Dene). He is survived by his daughter Dene, and her children Jackson (Kelly), Carson, and Macklan (Karoline); son Gregg and his children Jordan and Zach; daughter Alyssa, her husband Terry Haught, and their children Ryanne (Cory, and children Walker and Wyatt) and Riley; Tess's children Mattie (Jake, and children Elowen, Winslet, and Fletcher), Blake, and Garrett; son Deke, his wife Kristin, and their children Grace, Ellie, and Will; son Buddy, his wife Alicia, and their children Robby, Lexi, and Claire; and son Josh, his wife Beth, and their children Luke, Tate, and Lila.
The Rowell family gives profound thanks for Tivise ("Tivi") Nejad, who helped Bob for nearly 10 years. Much more than a caregiver, Tivi became an adopted family member and true friend of Bob's and of the entire Rowell family. Her support and care enabled him to attend dinners, sporting events, movies, weddings, and other gatherings-and to live life on his own terms as he aged.
A celebration of life is planned for February 7. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Bob Rowell's memory may be made to St. Francis Center in Redwood City (stfrancisrwc.org/donate) or Cal Athletics (www.calathleticsfund.com).