Thomas Henry Rowe of Sarasota, Florida, and Chautauqua, New York, passed away peacefully Nov. 17, 2019. Born Dec. 9, 1934, to Dortha Louise Peiffer and Kenneth Guy Rowe of Titusville, Pennsylvania, Tom graduated from Titusville High School in 1953, earning varsity letters in basketball and high jump all four years; and graduated from Grove City College in 1956.
He married Patricia Ann Hughes on Dec. 21, 1957.
Tom served in the Army in Bayreuth, Germany, and was discharged honorably two years later in September 1959. Upon his return, he joined Scott Paper Company, ending his career 34 years later in Boston as Regional North Eastern Director of Sales
Tom summered at Chautauqua. He was president of the Chautauqua Golf Club, graduated from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle as president of the Class of 2020; and was a member of the Bestor Society. He was active in Scouting with his sons, boating, sailing, skiing, stamp collecting, traveling, bridge, and golf.
Tom was a member of Pine Valley Golf Club in Pine Valley, New Jersey, Brae Burn Golf Club in Boston, and TPC Prestancia Golf Club in Sarasota. He was a Deacon and Elder of the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Church of the Palms.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, and sister Julie Ann Fredericks. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Ann; children Steven Thomas (Judy Chen) of Sarasota, James Ainslie (Laura) of Noblesville, Indiana, and David Kenneth (Deborah) of Mayville, New York; grandchildren Kelsey Louise Rowe, of Noblesville, Matthew Thomas Rowe, of Washington Township, Pennsylvania, and Nicholas James Rowe, of Noblesville; and nephew and niece Col. John Kenneth Ellsworth, of Seabrook Island, South Carolina and Julie Lynn Cox of Jarrettsville, Maryland.
Memorial gifts in his name can be directed to Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL, 34239; the CLSC and Chautauqua Institution, or a charity of choice. A memorial service was held at Church of the Palms in Sarasota, Florida. A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held in Chautauqua.