OBIT: William Thomas ROWE, 1932, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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WILLIAM THOMAS ROWE

Sudden Passing of Dr. W. T. Rowe
Beloved Physician Succumbs to Cerebral Hemorrhage - End of a Useful Life

  Meyersdale lost one of its most beloved citizens when Dr. William Thomas Rowe 
was called to his great reward at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 2.
  He was stricken at midnight, Monday, with a cerebral hemorrhage from which he 
never rallied.  Although he had been suffering last week with quinsy, his health 
seemed to be unusually good and his sudden passing came as a shock to his family 
and many friends.
  He attended to his medical practice on Monday as usual and in the evening 
attended the moving picture show, as was his custom several times a week, at the 
Roxy Theatre.  Leaving the theatre at 9 o'clock, he went to Dahl Bros.' bowling 
alleys to watch the bowling match between the Cumberland and Meyersdale teams.  
Bowling was one of his favorite forms of recreation.  He returned to his home 
about 10:30, never to leave it again alive.

Native of Frostburg, Md.

  Dr. Rowe was a native of Frostburg, Md.  He was a son of the late Thomas and 
Mary (Hoskyns) Rowe, both natives of England who became citizens of the United 
States of America by immigration and naturalization.  William Thomas Rowe was 
born March 25th, 1866, and died at the age of 65 years, 9 months and 7 days.  
His boyhood was spent in Frostburg, where he received his elementary education 
in the public school.  He later was graduated from the University of Maryland, 
receiving the A.B. degree, then studied medicine in Johns Hopkins University, 
Baltimore, from which institution he received his M.D. degree.  He was a member 
of the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity.  
  At the age of 30 he was united in marriage to Estelle Jeffreys, also of 
Frostburg.  To them three children were born, Estelle, who with her mother, 
survives, and Mary Jane and William, both of whom died in infancy.
  Dr. Rowe started his medical practice at Cumberland, but after one year's work 
there, moved with his bride to Meyersdale where he was actively engaged in his 
profession for more than 34 years.
  For many years he was a member of the medical staff of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad Company.
  
More Than Physician

  He was more than a physician; he was the close and confidential friend of his 
many patrons and of a great many other people whom he did not treat 
professionally.  He was highly esteemed by both young and old.  Every school 
child knew and loved Dr. Rowe, for he was a lover of children and sponsored 
every activity which benefited the younger generation.  He was a great sportsman 
and followed the activities of the local football and basketball teams with the 
keenest interest, and was always there ready to lend a helping hand when some 
boy was injured, and to spur them on to greater activity.  His was a heart of 
gold.  His entire professional career was devoted to the healing of the sick, 
the compensation derived from his efforts being of minor moment to him, 
consequently he never amassed a fortune in worldly goods, but by helpful service 
to mankind he won a wealth of pleasure and contentment.

An Eminent Mason

  He was a Mason of high standing being a member of the Blue Lodge and Hebron 
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Meyersdale; Oriental Commandery Knights Templar, 
Johnstown, and Jaffa Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, 
Altoona.  He was a Past Master of the local Blue Lodge of Meyersdale and an 
ardent worker in all Masonic activities.  Several weeks ago he was presented 
with a diamond-studded pin by the Knights Templar in appreciation of special 
work he did for that organization.  On three different occasions he was sent to 
Philadelphia as special representative of the local lodge in the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania.
 
A 100 Percent Rotarian

  When the Meyersdale Rotary Club was organized more than eight years ago, he 
became one of its charter members, and at the time of his death was the only  
member of the club with a perfect attendance record, having never missed a 
meeting of the club that he did not make up elsewhere.  He was president of the 
club during its second year and was very active in all of its activities 
especially in its crippled children work.
  At this week's meeting of the Rotary Club the usual program was omitted and 
the time was devoted to paying tribute to the outstanding member of the club 
whose chair was vacant for the first time in eight years (except on one or two 
occasions when he was away from home and kept his attendance record intact by 
meeting with some other club).  Short eulogies were pronounced by Rotarians W. 
S. Livengood, D. H. Bauman, George L. Detweiler, R. H. Philson and President J. 
E. McCartney.  At the last meeting of the Rotary Club that Dr. Rowe attended 
(Jan. 28) he was accompanied by his wife.  He was a devoted husband and father 
and a wonderful companion to his daughter, Miss Estelle Rowe, a teacher in the 
high school at Hagerstown, Md.

Impressive Funeral

  Funeral services for Dr. Rowe were conducted on Thursday afternoon at 2 
o'clock at his late residence, by Rev. W. T. Robertson, pastor of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church of which Dr. Rowe was an active member, assisted by 
Rev. Dr. John Langdale of New York City; Rev. C. C. Fisher, of Waynesburg, Pa., 
and Rev. Harry A. Price of Crafton, Pa, all former pastors of the local 
Methodist Church.  Each of these ministers paid high tribute to Dr. Rowe as a 
churchman.  A Masonic service was held at the cemetery.  The pallbearers were R. 
Harry Philson, Fulton N. Shipley, Arthur O. Lorentz, Charles C. Cook, Dr. W. 
Harry Ryland and T. Boone Brown of Meyersdale, and G. Kear Hoskin of Frostburg.  
Interment was made in the family lot in Union Cemetery with Undertaker W. C. 
Price in charge of the burial arrangements.
  The funeral was largely attended - friends coming from far and near to pay 
their respects to one of nature's noblemen.  The floral tributes were very 
beautiful and numerous.

Meyersdale Republican, February 4, 1932