Clyde Rowen's Obituary
Clyde Arthur Rowen, son of James Elmer, Sr. and Montie Audrey (Phillips) Rowen, was born on February 21, 1917, in Vernal, Utah. He departed this life Monday, October 11, 2010, in St. John’s Hospital-Springfield, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, seven months and twenty days.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Elmer Rowen; and a great nephew, James E. Rowen.
Clyde is survived by his sister-in-law, Mildred Rowen, of Fernley, Nevada; two nieces, Nancy Sheets and her husband, David, of Minden, Nevada, Sandra King, of Antioch, California; a nephew, Jim Rowen and his wife, Paige, of Carson City, Nevada; three great-nephews; two great-nieces; four great-great-nephews; two great-great-nieces; caring friends, Rex Todd and Sherry Huffman; as well as a host of other relatives and many, many, friends.
He was born in Vernal, Utah, where his father worked in the cattle business. Later the family moved to Kimberly, Idaho for a few years where they owned a small ranch. Moving back to the Wyoming/Colorado area, his father was killed in an auto accident. His mother moved the family to Savery, Wyoming and in the late 1920’s moved the family to Missouri to Wright County.
He graduated from Robinett School, attended the two-year “Job” high school that was opened in Dawson, and graduated from Mountain Grove High School. He continued his education at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.
After leaving college, where he was earned English major. Clyde worked most of the war years as reporter/editor for the Nebraska State Journal newspaper in Lincoln. He later was employed briefly in Los Angeles by the Daily News and then the Herald Express. Other employment over the years included: furniture factory foreman, lab technician, fruit and vegetable inspector, carpenter, ranch hand, and publicity and public-relations assistant in Las Vegas. “Ragtime Bob” Darch, a life long friend, was instrumental in persuading Clyde to come to Alaska, where for eight years he was manager of a civic organization known as Greater Anchorage, Inc. In 1964-65 he worked in the Alaska exhibit at the New York World’s Fair and had also been the Alaska State Director of the Miss America Pageant.
In the mid 60’s returning to Hartville on his was back to Alaska he stayed longer than had been planned and in 1972 he became a construction inspector in Missouri with USDA Farmers Home Administration, a position he held until retirement in 1990.
Clyde has been president of the Wright County Historical Society since its inception in 1967. Following a period of hibernation through the seventies, the society was given new life and has been a viable organization since 1983, with Clyde serving as president until recent years. The publication of its history books was one of Clyde’s greatest accomplishments.
He attended the Hartville United Methodist Church and was a member of the Hartville Lion’s Club, Hartville Chamber of Commerce, was active in Wright County T.A.R.G.E.T., and was a longtime Republican supporter. Civic interests and concerns were of great importance to him. He enjoyed his morning gatherings at the local café to visit and catch up on items of interest.
In his spare time he liked reading and traveling, especially taking the trip to Ireland in June of 2002.
Clyde was a trusted neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments, and will forever hold dear the memories he created for his family and many friends. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
Burial will be Friday October 22,2010, in Robinett Cemetery East of Hartville, Missouri,
with a memorial service to follow in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, at Hartville, at 2:00 pm Friday October 22, 2010.
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