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Greg Davie posted a condolence
I am proud to have called Bob (always Mister) Rowlands a direct influence on my life. He was my high school guidance counselor who encouraged me to find my niche in journalism. He was a man who knew more about basketball than people thought, taking the freshman boys and making them a dynamic team year after year. He did so many other things that no doubt will be mentioned in subsequent candles. The last 20 years or so, he was part comic relief, part critic of my play-by-pay abilities, and full-time friend. May you rest in peace Mr. R. for your body of work here has no equal.
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Cheryl Zehr posted a condolence
Thank you Mr. & Mrs. "R" for being my mentors, friends, neighbors and adoptive parents for 30+ years. You've been perfect examples of the importance of giving to others. So many wonderful memories! Thank for reminding me every day that teachers touch lives both in and out of school. I can only imagine Mr. "R" how wonderful your first dance in heaven was with Mrs. "R"! Love you both! Cheryl
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Connie posted a condolence
He was a big help to me in high school and truly helped me to find my way.
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Deb Woytek Puffer posted a condolence
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Rowlands death. He was a great mentor to all of us that had him as a guidance counselor. I sent an e-mail to my classmates informing them of his passing and I received so many back saying how sorry and what a great influence he was on their lives. It should comfort you to know that he touched so many people in his life.
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Debbie posted a condolence
Mr. Rowlands was such a "presence" in the halls at Sidney High School. He always had a smile and spoke to everyone by name. Thank you, Mr. Rowlands, for being such a solid role model and friend.
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Betsy Rowlands Knox posted a condolence
Dad, although I have said this to you before, it bears repeating so much more now that you are finally at rest. You are the bravest, kindest and most wonderful father any girl could ever hope for. You have endured more pain than any of us can possibly imagine, yet you continued on with a smile on your face and a kind word for everyone who crossed your path. I love you, my dear father, more than you could ever know. With all my love, Betsy Jean
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LeeAnn Dieball Harmening posted a condolence
My Uncle Bob was such a good man with a kind heart and a gentle spirit. What I remember most about my Uncle Bob was his quick wit and dry sense of humor. That, and of course, when he would sit quietly by as my Aunt Jean and Auntie Frances, sometimes Betsy, would banter back and forth. Once in awhile he would roll his eyes, letting them ramble on and on. Uncle Bob, Sidney and this world will not be the same without you in it. My world won't be the same and I miss you terribly. I am SO proud to be known as your niece. I love you.
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Wayne & George posted a condolence
Words can not express the great loss of one of this worlds most intelligent, wonderfully kind and caring human being that we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Our friends the Rowlands family, Mr. Robert (Dad) and Mrs. Jean (Mom) mean the world to us along with their Daughter Betsy. In this constantly changing world it was always a comfort to know that through all the madness in life, our friends the Rowlands family were there and they remained loving and true through it all.
We will miss you Dad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all, at this time of great sadness. Love always your friends forever. Wayne & George
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Karen Cycon Dermody posted a condolence
My thoughts and prayers to all of the Rowlands family. Mr. Rowlands was such a wonderfully supportive presence to the newly formed Sidney Central School Alumni Association in the late '90s and continued to share his thoughts and advice as the Association grew. In the beginning there would be an encouraging email praising what we were trying to do and later, Mr. Rowlands served on our Wall of Fame committee and with wit and intelligence gently led us on our path. I am proud to have known him and I will miss him.
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Pat Romano-Burki posted a condolence
Mr Rowlands (could never get used to calling him Bob as we got older) was my English teacher when I was in Junior High. (that's what they called it then). And he became a friend as we got older. I will miss seeing him when I come to visit Sidney for our Alumni Weekends. He was a very special person in my life as well as many of us who attended Sidney School. Rest in peace Mr. Rowlands. May the Lord give you, his family, strength and peace.
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Patricia Meehan Lerch posted a condolence
Mr. Rowlands was such an outstanding teacher and human being. In my own teaching career, I so often thought of him as I taught the short stories of Poe. Mr. Rowlands "turned me on" to the works of Poe and so many other writers by the expert way in which he approached works and prepared his students for them. What a wonderful example he was! Please, Betsy, accept my sincerest condolences on a loss that touches so many.
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tom wilson posted a condolence
One way of measuring a person's "worth" on this earth is the amount of positive influence that particular person had on the lives of others. Your Dad ranks way up on the scale for his influence on the folks in Sidney, not just in my life but the lives of many, many students and athletes. Always be proud of him and hold his memory close......he was a very good man.
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Carol Collier posted a condolence
I remember Mr. Rowlands first coming to visit my dad (a college chum)in Hancock, and then in Cooperstown in the 50's and 60's. He was always a welcome sight, always laughing and a household word all my life. I wanted his remaining family to know there are many people you have never met, who remember him (and Jean) fondly, and will for years to come.
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Cathy Tisenchek posted a condolence
Bets-
I am so sorry to read in the paper of your father's passing. I am sure that you have many good memories of him that you can cherish. My dear friend, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Donald Elliott posted a condolence
Robert was about 2 grades ahead of me in NBCS. The thing I remember most is that
Herb Butts, a sports coach, really respected him as an individual and his service during WWII.Herb kept us all informed concerning the serious wounds he rec'd during the war. I remember that he was a really nice person.
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Pat JonesPJ posted a condolence
BOB,
Your time has come to go away, to us your path unknown.
hopefully it is to a place you truly can call home.
With fields of manarda, on which the hummers feed,
and blooming beds of marigolds,
their heads nodding gently on the breeze.
May your berry bushes be ever full,
to feed the cardinals red,
and your skys full of sunny rainbows,
flying high over your head.
You are finally free at last.....
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Jo Dalton posted a condolence
Mr. rowlands and I had such nice talks on the way to the gym and back. After I stopped going I stopped in to see him 3 or 4 times a years. He was a wonderful man and will be missed.
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Julie Suarez Hayes posted a condolence
When I was an overwhelmed first-year teacher in Sidney, Bob was a very supportive and wise friend. His concern for our students and colleagues was genuine and deep. He touched many, many lives. My condolences to Betsey and all the family.
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Emily Smith Droddy posted a condolence
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my eight grade english teacher. He was a great teacher and a wonderful person and will be so missed. Please accept my condolences.
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Ron Tasior posted a condolence
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
Ron Tasior
Edmeston Baseball Coach
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Christine "Rutenber" Newell posted a condolence
Sorry to hear about Bob, or "Grandpa" as he let me call him the last few years that he was able to come to Fairbanks.
He was a great person to talk with, I always enjoyed visiting with him.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family!! He will be missed.
-Christine Newell
Also want to pass on condolences from my Dad, David Rutenber. My Dad had Bob as a teacher way back when and always thought a lot of him.
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Gail Horth Ziegler posted a condolence
Betsy - I still have fond memories of visiting your house & discussing my options for changing colleges with your mom & dad when I was home on a vacation. While sitting at your kitchen table, your Siamese cat jumped onto my head & it was quickly grabbed and shut into a bedroom. Not only was your dad helpful to me in junior high and high school but he also took my phone calls & invited me to your home when I was in college. I've often told others about the support my school counselor provided. He touched a lot of lives and his support will always be remembered by many. You & your family are in my thoughts...
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Kelly Dieball Morton posted a condolence
Uncle Bob, I can only imagine the welcome you received in heaven. I'm sure the party favors were made of syringe people and pinecone characters, and that those who left before you were so thrilled to have you there. Especially Aunt Jean and Auntie. I can hear them saying, "Well, it's about time."
There was no better joke teller than you. Funny I didn't know that until recently. Roger and I so enjoyed our visits while in NY for the summer. Those opportunities will be sorely missed. For someone in so much pain, your ability to make others laugh is truly incredible.
You touched my life and obviously the lives of so many others. Thank you for sharing your charm, your intelligence and your compassion.
To all of you who touched Uncle Bob's life so deeply, thank YOU. The generosity of friendship and respect and love was such a blessing to his entire family.
God bless us everyone.
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Nancy Dieball posted a condolence
Bob, I will never forget our conversations at the kitchen table. I remember all the people that stopped in to visit when I was there. I always thought you and Jean had more company than anyone I knew. You were loved by many.
To Betsy, your dad loved you so much, even when you fell out of a ceiling He really gave his life for his country. It just took him longer than others.
God Bless you and be with you in the coming months.Love, Nancy
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rob robertson posted a condolence
betsy, sorry to hear about your dad but relieved at the same time. my mom was keeping me updated about his condition and i know he's been in pain for a longtime. our dad's pain was a much shorter time but it still hurts you to watch and can't do anything to help. my thought's are with you. rob r.
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Roxana (Little) Hurlburt posted a condolence
betsy -- so sorry to see your dad passed away. He and my dad had so many great times over the years -- so many laughs. They can reconnect again. Please take care and know you are in our thoughts.
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Merritt St.John posted a condolence
I am so sorry to hear of Mr Rowlands passing. Aside from my own parents he was the greatest positive influence in my life. Not only in his counsel but in his daily living he demonstrated what it was to be a real gentlemen. He was a great coach, teacher and counselor. And I found out in his basement that he was also a pretty good ping pong player.
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Sue Fessenden Jones posted a condolence
It saddens me to hear of his passing. He was a truly great man - in so many ways! To Betsy, our thoughts & prayers are with you. What a comfort to have faith in believing that we "pass on" - it's our faith that helps so much after we lose someone we love so much. I will fondly remember your dad's great sense of humor, his wit, and his love of birds & wildlife. I loved sitting at his kitchen table and watching all the birds and squirrels come to feed - it was truly a wildlife preserve in its own right. I know one person who will sorely miss him - my dad, they saw each other on a daily basis for these last few years (when my dad wasn't at his camp). He was a wonderful family friend to all of us, and obviously, by reading these posts, had such a positive influence in so many people's lives. I imagine him now, laughing and joyful in heaven, and now reunited with your mom.
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Robert Bowie posted a condolence
My deepest condolences to the family. I met Bob by accident in the literal sense. In the short time I knew him we became close friends. He loved to share his stories and his thoughts. More so .. how strongly he felt about his family and friends. You all were the world to him. I can only hope my time helping him made his days more comfortable. He is already missed.
Bob, thank you for being my friend. Whenever I see a Cardinal or hear its song, I will think of you. RIP my friend.
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Maida M. Costello posted a condolence
I am saddened by the passing of my friend Bob, but also am rejoicing in the knowledge he is finally free of the pain that he has endured so many years. I will cherish the memory of a wonderful, caring, gentle man who spent many hours volunteering in the Physical Therapy Department where I met him many years ago. Rest in Peace my friend, and now walk hand-in-hand in Heaven with your beloved Jean.
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Bob Hayward posted a condolence
Betsy,Sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad.Although I didn't know him well,I remember him as always being friendly and approachable.May he rest in peace.Our thoughts are with you and the family.
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Gary W. Johnson SR. posted a condolence
Dear Mr.Rowlands Family,
He was one of my teachers. He was responsible for my staying in school and graduating, along with 2 other teachers. Mr Redman and Mrs. Jester. I would have quit early if not for them. I did get the chance about 2 years ago to have a conversation with him and let thank him for seeing something in me worth saving. Plus believing in me as a person. I've always admired him and respected him. I sure you as his family well miss him terribly. My prays and thoughts are with you. Among the first thoughts i had was he didn't have any more pain and could finely have peace. Sorry I could not attend his service' but know that my thoughts were of him and his.
Sincerely,
Gary W. Johnson Sr.
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David Ineich posted a condolence
I never had Mr Rowlands as a teacher. Maybe that was a good thing. We met during the basketball season of '54-'55 when he first assumed the official scorer position for the Varsity basketball team. He, for some reason, took me under his wing teaching me more than he would have as a teacher. I had the honor to have been invited to his, and Mrs Rowlands wedding. Over the past 15 years I visited him almost annually, sitting at the "kitchen table" talking about everything, and eating his cookies and pies. He loved his golf. For the past few years he looked forward to being carted around the Alumni Golf Tourney and "holding court" with his many past students in attendance. He was intelligent,tough, brave, kind, careing, considerate, giving and more. I will miss him. RIP Mr Rowlands.
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Gary Root posted a condolence
Another of "the greatest generation" gone. God bless you, Bob.
And all those years I saw him limp and never knew about the military connection. He never said a word to call attention to himself and his service.
I only came to really know him vicariously, through John Petrosky, long after we had graduated. It was "Mr. Rowlands this, and Mr. Rowlands that."
To my good fortune, I got to shake his hand and thank him for his service to SCHS at a reunion a few years back.
8th Grade English - another treasure in my life.
A life well lived. Blessings to his family and loved ones.
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Sally G. C. MacLachlan posted a condolence
I remember Bob Rowlands with respect and appreciated his care and guidance of the children who were fortunate to have him as their Guidance Counselor. I just learned of his passing and am sending my sincere sympathy to Betsy and other family members in their bereavement of a beloved father and their family member.
Sally MacLachlan
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Don Wyckoff posted a condolence
First I must say how incredibly sad it was for me to hear of Bob's passing. He was a great friend to me over the 15 years I knew him and I will never forget some the lessons and the encouragements he gave me as I struggled to find my purpose in life...Bob was a great teacher long after his career was over. Betsy if you get this please send me an email at donwyckoff@ccfi.us I have some things to share with you...He was so proud of you! Bob, my friend I will miss you but I hope to see you on the other side...I'm glad your not suffering anymore and I am sure you are holding Jean as we speak...Be well my friend!
Don
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Friday, January 31, 2014
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