Clair DeVere Rowe, 99, died on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Western Home Deery Suites, in Cedar Falls, IA.
He was born on October 31, 1924, in Troy Mills, IA, the son of Charles and Ida (Schneider) Rowe. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II, earning a purple heart for his bravery. Upon his return from the service, he received his bachelor’s degree in 1951 and his master’s degree in 1954 from Iowa State Teachers College. He later earned his PhD from the University of Iowa in 1967.
On June 30, 1956, he was united in marriage to Florine Erger in Cedar Rapids. The two moved to Muncie, IN in 1957 where Clair took a position at Ball State University. He served as a professor of marketing, department chair, and later as acting Dean. In 1971 he moved his family to Grand Forks, ND where he was Dean of the College of Business at the University of ND for 15 years. In 1986 he and Florine moved to Cedar Falls, IA – intending to teach at UNI, but he was soon recruited to serve as acting Chair of the Depts. of Accounting, Marketing & Finance, and finally as Acting Dean of the College of Business before retiring in 1991.
He served on many boards, chaired the United Way and was President of the Chamber of Commerce in Grand Forks. He was a member of Elks, Rotary and Toastmasters clubs. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans and was an active volunteer in the community. Clair loved to fish, golf and take road trips across the nation. He was a great storyteller and filled his conversations with funny puns. He will always be remembered for his kind heart, generosity of time and talent, and wonderful sense of humor.
Clair is survived by his son, Paul (Lynelle) Rowe of Irvine, CA; daughters, Patricia (Loren) McFarland of Santa Barbara, CA, and Janet (Dan Rhodes) Rowe of Greenville, WI.
A memorial mass will be held on the 16th of August, at 10am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in St John’s Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.