Robert Fredric Rowntree

Robert Fredric (Bob) Rowntree died peacefully at SunnyBrook Assisted Living in Fairfield, IA on Friday, October 17, 2008. Known by few in his new home of Fairfield, he was a man of many accomplishments.

Bob's remains were cremated. The family plans a small, private service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa
204 Jefferson St.
Ste. 103
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641-2161

Though born in Columbus, OH (on February 8, 1930), married Esther Helen Raymond in Columbus (on January 20, 1956), and had two sons in Columbus, the interim took him throughout this Nation and the world. He graduated from high school in the Philippines, where his father served on the Philippines Reparations Commission, and then traveled alone via cargo ship from Manila with adventures in Indonesia and India, then through the Suez Canal and Mediterranean, to attend Miami University (Ohio), where he completed a double major in mathematics and physics. His education continued with a Masters degree in public administration from Syracuse University, and a Doctorate in physics from Ohio State University.

His college years were interrupted by his service with the U.S. Army, during the Korean War, at Belvoir, VA (headquarters of the Missile Defense Agency), working with famed German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun on the technology of modern military rocket systems.

After his post-doctoral research was completed, Bob took his young family to the Mojave Desert in China Lake, CA, where he worked for 27 years at the country's largest weapons research laboratory for the Department of the Navy. bob considered his principal careet skill to be understanding complex technology and communicated the technology's critical features to diverse constitencies within the U.S. Government. Much of what Bob did during his professional life was classified, so he would describe his job as helping the rocket scientists with the things they did not understand, such as the reality of working with the bureaucracy of Washington, D.C. After retirement, on May 3, 1989, he received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, one of the highest awards the Navy can confer on civilian employees.

Though a man of tremendous frugality, he never hesitated to spend money on a good meal, travel, or charitable causes. His sense of service was also reflected in his deeds. After retiring, Bob & Esther moved to San Luis Obispo (SLO), CA, where Bob volunteered extensively, doing repairs on the SLO County General Hospital (the internal maintenance department was overwhelmed caring for the aging facility), was a member of the SLO County Commission on Aging, and wrote and published newsletters for several local senior organizations. Bob was instrumental in organizing the Society for Counter Ordnance Technology, a national group working to apply technoligy to the worldwide problem of clearing landmines, and was assistant organizer of the biannual internationa symposia for this group.

Bob's family wishes to recognize the tremendously compassionate care Bob received at SunnyBrook Assisted Living in Fairfield, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Esther, residing in Fairfield, IA; their two sons, Walter (Pocatello, ID) and Raymond (Portland, OR); and sister-in-law, Patricia Crim (Fairfield, IA).