The Life of ROBERT WATKINS ROWAT
Robert W. Rowat, 88, passed away January 25, 2011 at Valley View Village.
Bob was born April 26, 1922 to Tom and Lulu Rowat in Des Moines and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from East High School and attended Iowa State University. Bob was a U.S. Army veteran and served in the South Pacific during WWII. He played the clarinet in the U.S. Army Band that performed at Carnegie Hall. He owned Rowat Cut Stone Company, a family business, and retired in 1987. He was a founding member in both the Iowa Military Veterans Band and Des Moines Municipal Band. He was the choir director at Calvary Baptist Church and the director of the Des Moines Senior Singers. Bob was a member of the Pioneer Club, Lunch Bunch, Rotary Club and East Des Moines Club.
Bob is survived by his wife, Eileen; children, Jonathan (Kaye) Rowat, Lynn (Jane) Rowat, Tom (Delia) Rowat and Rebecca (Bruce) Van Der Beek; grandchildren, Emily Cook, Jamie Rowat, Lydia Van Der Beek, Abby Van Der Beek, Thomas Rowat, III and Rachal Rowat; sister, Marjorie (Eugene) Buechler; and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Rowat.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 28, 2011, at Calvary Baptist Church, 606 E. 9th Street, of which he was a member, followed by burial at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to East High Alumni Association or Valley View Village.