Eugene Arthur Rowland

Our Gene/Dad/Grandpa/Great Grandpa Shark was the kind of man that people write stories about. In his 92 years he lived more life than some would live if they had 200. In place of a traditional obituary his family has elected to share the story, as we know it, of Eugene Arthur Rowland:

Childhood

Eugene Arthur Rowland (“Gene”) was born in Warren, Pennsylvania on November 17, 1932 to Marguerite Arthur and Samuel Rowland.  Together they had 5 children – Alberta, Charles, Betty, and Doris were followed by Gene 9 years later.

Gene had a very hard childhood, surviving a level of poverty many would have a difficult time imagining. Because of that, he became generous to a fault and cherished every opportunity to learn. His love of reading and education could also be attributed to his mother, who only finished 8th grade, but loved and valued learning.  Gene’s father, Samuel, was buried on Gene’s 5th birthday in 1937.

Gene met the love of his life, Eleanor Cober Rowland, in the Warren High School band. Ellie played drums while Gene played the trumpet. What follows is the rest of their 68 year love story.

Early Adulthood

After high school, Gene served in the Army Signal Corp. from 1953 to 1955 as a radar technician and studied electronics. When he attended boot camp in Georgia it was the farthest he’d ever been away from home at that time. In addition to studying electronics, Gene played in the Bugle Corp.

The Army allowed Gene to attend Penn State, the first ever in his family to attend college. He was a member of the TKE fraternity where he served as Secretary. Gene earned his way through college working 20 hours a week at Ionospheric Research in addition to the GI Bill.

Gene and Ellie were married in 1956 and welcomed their first child, Kathy (Conway), in 1957. Kathy was born in State College. Brother-in-law, Jim Cober and his fiancé, now bride of more than 60 years, Janine Mitchell, often babysat for them. Gene graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959.

Following college, Gene and Ellie welcomed Mike in 1959, Larry in 1962, and Tom in

1966. Gene was a loving, devoted father and his family was always his highest priority.

Career

Gene worked for General Electric his entire career. Directly following college, he spent 4 years in Utica and Syracuse, New York. In addition to a new career, Gene earned all but 9 credits toward his master’s degree from Syracuse University, a tract he abandoned in favor of transferring to Daytona Beach, Florida to work on the Apollo Program and GE’s Satellite Systems Division.

In 1977, Gene was hand-picked by GE’s corporate leadership to transfer to the Corporate R&D Center in Schenectady, New York where he headed up the team that in 1980 built what has been called “The first ever commercially-viable electric car” in cooperation with Chrysler Corp. and Globe Battery Corp. After completion of that project, Gene managed several other major initiatives for GE, including the development of an optical inspection system for printed circuit boards and served as the liaison between appliance business in Louisville and Corporate R&D in Schenectady. Gene always brought work home, but never was too busy to talk to or help a child. Gene retired in 1994, when in his words,” I can ski weekdays” and pursue other passions.

Things Gene Loved the Most –

Family

After moving to Ormond Beach, Gene wrote to his mother-in-law, Eleanor Brown Cober, who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, inviting her to live with the family. She lived with them for 15 years.

Gene was an avid outdoorsman. He took his kids fishing and camping in the North Carolina mountains every summer.

Gene patiently taught dozens of children to water ski.

Not only was Gene very intentional in fostering strong relationships with his children and grandchildren, but he was also a wonderful role model and friend to his children’s spouses: Chip Conway (Kathy), Stacy Neuwien Rowland (Mike), and Tanya Vonhof Rowland (Larry). Although Gene was technically their father-in-law, calling him ‘Dad’ came naturally as he always welcomed them with open arms into the family.

Above all, he valued his offspring – 5 Grandchildren and 2 (soon to be 3) great grandchildren – staying in touch through facetime & weekly Zoom calls. The highlight of his day was seeing new pictures of his great granddaughters on the electronic picture frame beside his favorite recliner.

Church

Gene taught Sunday School in Utica, New York.

He was a Deacon and Elder of Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church in Florida and Union Presbyterian Church in Schenectady where he also served as Trustee.

Gene was a two-time delegate to the PCUSA General Assembly and served on the PCUSA’s Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity Conference and chaired an annual conference in Montreat, NC.

In 2014, Union Presbyterian merged with the First Reformed Church of Schenectady. Gene remained active, serving on committees as well as singing in the choir.

It’s been said, “If church doors were open, the Rowlands were there.”

Community Service

The day the Rowlands left Ormond Beach to move to upstate New York was declared ‘Eleanor & Eugene Rowland Day’ by the Mayor and Town Council.

Gene and Ellie volunteered weekly at the SICM Food pantry in Schenectady and were Hamilton School Birthday Buddies.

Ellie and Gene both volunteered with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Task Force following hurricane Katrina traveling twice to the New Orleans.

In 2017 they started Team Rowland, which has raised more than $1.5 million for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research since its inception.

Skiing

Gene took his first downhill snow skiing lesson at age 50.

He skied regularly until age 87 having mastered the mountains of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

He went on numerous trips out west with the 70+ ski club

Singing

A lifelong lover of music, Gene sang in the church choir as well as several community choral groups, including the Burnt Hills Oratorio, the Hudson Mohawk Chorale, and the Mohawk Valley Chorus, with which he traveled to many European countries.

Family vacations were often filled with the grandchildren gathered around Grandpa to sing hymns and folk songs.

Gene’s voice filled the room at many Rowland Family special occasions, including Kyle and Maggie’s wedding and reception accompanied by son-in-law Chip Conway on the guitar.

Fishing

Gene spent many hours on trout streams across the country and in his fishing boat, Teacher’s Pet, as well as numerous big fishing trips with son Larry, grandson Patrick, and brother-in-law Jim.

Cars

Though he grew up poor, Gene always had a car that he maintained himself.  He learned to love all things mechanical and later had a series of “hobby cars.”

Gene was one of the founding organizers of the Birthplace of Speed Antique Car Meet, an annual event in Ormond Beach, Florida, which attracted hundreds of antique automobile owners and enthusiasts from all over the country.

Reading & Poetry

Gene and Ellie volunteered with Friends of the Schenectady Public library. Gene chaired the Noon time weekly book review, an annual Poetry Gala, and worked on the triannual book sale fundraisers.

Gene started a poetry group at The Glebe and wrote poetry until the day of his passing.

Every night after retirement, Gene and Ellie established a routine of enjoying one glass of red wine each and Gene would read poetry to her, much of which he wrote.

Personal Life/Retirement

In addition to their 4 children, Gene and Ellie spoiled 5 grandchildren rotten. Hannah Conway (Kathy and Chip), Katie and Maggie Rowland (Mike and Stacy), and Robin and Patrick Rowland (Larry and Tanya) all have the distinct honor of calling Gene and Ellie Grandma and Grandpa. They are currently living on two different continents and 4 different states, but they keep up with their grandparents via a rotating weekly Zoom call. The newest additions to these Zoom calls are their great granddaughters Ellie and Daisy (Maggie and Kyle) with whom Grandpa was especially smitten.

It was very important to Gene that his children and grandchildren all had the opportunity to attend college and contributed generously to their college education. Gene and Ellie both took UCALL classes at Union College on various topics that interested them and would often pass along their “Cliff Notes” to their grandkids during video calls.

In 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic, Gene and Ellie moved to Roanoke, Virginia to enjoy a relaxed retirement at The Glebe. It has been a wonderful place to live and we are so thankful for the community there. Gene transitioned to the Chaplick Center for Memory Care in November of 2023. We are so thankful for the nurses and staff of the Chaplick Center and the friendship and support of the residents and staff of the Glebe.

Gene died just shy of his 92nd birthday on October 6, 2024. It was a peaceful and private end to an amazing life. He and Ellie said their evening prayers and she held his hand until he slowly and quietly slipped away to join God’s heavenly chorus. Although we are all devastated to lose him we are glad he didn’t suffer through a prolonged sickness.

A Memorial Service has been scheduled for 2:00 PM Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Bonsack Baptist Church, 4845 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke, VA  24019.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the following:

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

P.O Box 643700

Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

or

Team Rowland

℅ The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Research

P.O. Box 5014

Hagerstown, MD 21741