Robert Rowe

Robert Charles Rowe, 82, of Chambersburg, PA and formerly of Jessup, MD, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Penn Hall Nursing Center with his family by his side. Born May 29, 1933 in Philadelphia, PA, he was a son of the late Charles Rowe and Leota Fellenbaum Rowe McPherson.

Bob was employed as a carpenter with Walter A. Shank Builders for 18 years. He then started his own business, Bob’s Home Improvement, where he specialized in carpentry and cabinet making. Bob was also a full time pastor at Guilford Road Mennonite Church in Jessup, MD for 42 years until his retirement in 2006. He and his wife were foster parents for 15 children over the years and they started a woodworking boys and girls club for the neighborhood children in Jessup after he retired. Bob was a member of New Life Mennonite Church in Ellicott City, MD.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Naomi Brubaker Rowe whom he married on May 2, 1953; four children, Shirley A. Lehman (Donald) of Quarryville, PA, David E. Rowe (Deni) of Dayton, MD, Sharon L. Yoder of Chambersburg, PA, and Rebecca J. Sauder (Steve) of Mercersburg, PA; eleven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by four siblings, Harold Fellenbaum, Gerald Fellenbaum, William Rowe, and Arlene Rowe Wonn; and his son-in-law, Dale E. Yoder.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 1, 2016 in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Chaplain Brenda Doyle will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 11:00 on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Menno Haven Benevolent Care: Menno Haven Inc., c/o Menno Haven Gift Planning Services, 2011 Scotland Ave. Chambersburg, PA 17201.