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David Allard Rowe
It is with great sadness that his loving family announces the death of David Allard Rowe at his home on Saturday morning February 8th. It was after his first night home following a month long road trip adventure. He had just had the 7 month anniversary of his “death” July 3rd, when he had a cardiac arrest on the pickleball courts and was resuscitated. The family is so grateful for that additional time together and the many celebrations we had, including Dave being able to walk his daughter, Martina, down the aisle to marry Jon Miland. Dave used to tell people that time spent watching sunsets was added to your time here on earth. We feel he must have watched 7 months worth of sunsets.
After July, Dave wrote out the highlights of his life. There were many and we are sharing them. Dave felt he was born in a great country and city (Eau Claire) to loving parents (in 1949). He grew up within 5 blocks of both sets of grandparents.
He married the love of his life, Sue Brown, in May 1981. Together they had so much fun and many adventures. They grew their family with Martina, Alejandro and Mateo who made their hearts and lives even fuller. Dave sends them all his love always!
Dave taught high school and at CVTC for 36 years in Marketing and Management. He absolutely loved it! He always thought education was important and had 3 degrees - his Bachelor’s, a Masters and an Education Specialist. His work history included 9 summers at Camp Manitou that led to lifelong friendships and many, many, many stories.
He was enamored in high school of dome houses after visiting the World’s Fair in Toronto with his dad. it was a longtime goal that Sue bought into so they built their dome home above Lake Altoona in 1984. It was his dream home.
His other favorite place was the cottage on Round Lake built by his grandparents in 1932. He and Sue did a major remodel after they inherited it as it was a special place shared with family and friends for decades (and a great place for sunsets!).
Exercise was his lifetime mission and he rarely missed a day. Dave started at the YMCA at age 6, played high school basketball and tennis, college basketball, league basketball and volleyball, competitive racquetball and for several years pickleball. He was proud of biking over 1000 miles a year for 40 straight years (doing about 500 in 2024 after his cardiac arrest). He also enjoyed downhill and cross country skiing, waterskiing, kayaking and hiking.
Dave started doing camping trips with friends at age 18, doing hiking and backpacking, and always having a love of the outdoors. From 2021-23, he and Sue camped at all 37 WI state parks that have camping. To enjoy his unique humor, go to: wiparksquest.com to read his blog of their camping experiences.
He enjoyed a diversity of travel adventures that he listed:
From New York plays to 40 National Parks
From rafting the Grand Canyon to a Paris-Normandy Viking Cruise
From backpacking around Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail to Orlando theme parks
From skiing in Colorado to biking the Maine coast
Many trips to Hawaii and Mexico
Tours of New Zealand and Austrailia
Touring cities from San Francisco and Seattle to London and Paris
Canoeing the Flambeau Flowage, rafting the Rogue River, canoeing Boundary Waters
Touring Europe and touring most areas of the US
Staying at resorts and doing “mooching” trips visiting friends and family
Dave had made plans for three more trips this year.
Dave had a commitment to giving back and served in multiple ways: Kiwanis Early Risers, Altoona Lions Club (receiving the Melvin Jones International Award), 6 years on Altoona City Council, and 10 years on Altoona District School Board.
Dave was a big guy with a big laugh and a big personality. He described himself as thankful, enjoying life, looking for a laugh, goal oriented, competitive, educationally minded, current events oriented, valued giving to others, trouble sitting still, liked quips and Dad jokes and funny T-shirts, and always into sports and exercise.
Dave is missed by his wife Sue, children Martina Miland (Jon), Alejandro and Mateo Rowe, his sister Janet Rowe (Lee Harrison); his father and mother in law Francis and Dolores Brown, in laws Mary Brown, Rose Jones (Greg), Steve Brown and Daniel Bakken Brown (Karin); nephews Travis Yaste, Adam Franck (Nicole), Daniel Franck (Heather); nieces Erin Franck and Naomi Vachon (Steve); many great nieces and nephews; cousins Margaret Becher, Steve Becher (Pam), John Kleiner (Carol), Margie Kleiner Crow, Kate Lindsay, Mary Anderson, Carol MacCormack. And many, many friends.
Preceding Dave in death were his parents, Allard and Elizabeth Rowe, cousin Barb Becher, grandparents and aunts and uncles.
The family is being assisted by Chippewa Valley Cremation Services and Celebration of Life Center in Altoona.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, March 23rd from 11 am to 3 pm at the River Prairie Center at 1445 Front Porch Place in Altoona.
Anyone wishing to remember Dave with a donation can contribute to their favorite charity or one of his:
CVTC Rowe Family Scholarship Fund - 620 W Clairemont Ave, EC 54701
YMCA - Camp Manitou - 700 Graham Ave, EC 54701
Altoona Lions Club - PO Box 185, Altoona 54720
Altoona Area Foundation - 1903 Bartlett Ave., Altoona 54720
We know this is a longish obituary but if you ever received a Rowe family Christmas newsletter, you aren’t surprised. Dave would want everyone to smile when they think of him.
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Dan Hall
My connection to Dave was from Bartlett Elementary. He lived a few blocks away and his yard was the scene of a number of epic snowball fights (including Jack Zeilie among others); the ones after dark were especially memorable. His fun loving athletism was evident even then. In MS & HS he became a star athelete our contact diminished considerably. But I read his epic description of his 3 year journey to all of WI State Parks (https://wiparksquest.com/) . If you haven't read it, I'd say do so as you will discover many interesting things about WI and Dave. He lived a full, fruitful life and will surely be missed by many. Condolences to Sue and his family, may his tribe thrive.
Jean Behnke (Wisnewski)
I remember Dave from back at Bartlett school and forward. I remember him as a good person and always a great smile. He lived a well lived life leaving his family and friends with many wonderful memories. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Rich Holten
Dave was an exceptional athlete and great friend. I enjoyed playing basketball with him and playing cards at his house on weekend nights in high school when we didn't have dates (more often the case than not). He could liven any gathering for hours with stories and humor and his big smile. He had a great life partner in Sue and together they had a great life. Pat and I will miss him.
Breck Cassidy (Cassidy)
I knee Dave from high school. I always admired Dave's tenacity and very cool attitude. I had several classes with him and was always impressed with his effort. Really loved his performance on the basketball court. He was a tough center! He has quite obviously lived a tremendous life. I'm sure his loss will be devastating to his family. I pray that they will be able to move forward with their lives. Good bye Dave.Ray Warren
I also lived a few blocks away from Dave and I have fond memories of the gigantic ROPE SWING he had in his front yard! Having not spoken in years, we reconnected just a few weeks ago by CHANCE!?! I was calling my friend DAVE BACHARACH regarding a ski trip we were taking to Utah this season...Dave B answered the phone and said he was in the middle of a pickleball game, but wanted to put a SURPRISE FRIEND(ROBO) on the phone who wanted to say HI....it was Dave R. We talked for 15 minutes...it was if we had been connected for years!!! Dave was a friend to all, always had a upbeat, engaging personality and a humble, caring man. I will cherish the brief, but upbeat moments we had to reconnect!!!
Ron Halpern
I did not know Dave well, but he was such an outsized personality that it was hard to miss him! I'm deeply sorry to learn of his passing. He obviously contributed so much to his friends and his community. Losing someone like Dave can't help but leave a big hole in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him. His passing is yet another reminder of both the richness of a full life and the frailty and brevity of it. But we can all be grateful for the time he was with us. Once again, we are poorer for his passing but grateful for his time amongst us.
Rest in peace, dear brother.
Jackie Webster (Bussert)
I knew Dave from high school English classes...lots of fun together on various projects. He sure knew how to push my buttons (unique humor indeed). I've thought of him often and wondered what he ended up doing. Sounds like .... well, everything, apparently. I'm happy for the memories his family has. So glad he put parts of his life in writing -- it's a passion we shared in high school. Ironic that marketing ended up in both our lives (my career was essentially marketing the mission of churches).