Mr. Robert Rowe, Sr

Died 06/08/2021

Obituary For Mr. Robert Rowe, Sr

In profound sorrow we announce the passing of Mr. Robert Rowe. Celebration of Life will be Friday, June 25, 2021 11:00am at Central United Methodist Church 501 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Atlanta GA 30314. Grissom-Clark Funeral Home 404-373-3191 Service will be live stream at https://youtu.be/hNYYyC4we3w

Reflections of Life Robert Arthur (Bob) Rowe was born in Detroit, Michigan, April 10, 1945 to Robert Cary and Irene Adair Rowe. The third of six children and eldest son of this union, Bob excelled in school, graduating from Cass Technical High School class of 1963, where he developed an interest in architecture and played football. His undergraduate education began at Wayne State University and culminated in a BA from Upper Iowa University after which he continued his studies, earning a Master’s in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. While at Wayne State, he pledged the Alpha Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in 1968. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Bob served in various capacities including Chair of Finance(1979-1981) and Polemarch of the Kansas City Chapter of the Middle Western Province (1981-82), and supporter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. Bob relocated to Atlanta to pursue business opportunities. It was in Atlanta that he met Brenda J. Davis, an Atlanta University School of Social Work graduate student. Asking for a dinner date at her graduation in May, he proposed on her birthday in September. They were wed at Central United Methodist Church December 14, 1974 by Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. To this union was born one son, Robert A-A Rowe. Bob was the consummate businessman, with an over 50-year career spanning numerous positions in sales and marketing. Most notably, he spent 20 years with Hallmark Marketing Corporation where he served in increasingly responsible capacities from Sales Associate to District Sales Manager to National Sales Training Director for the corporation headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. During his Hallmark career, Bob received numerous executive awards and was a popular representative for Hallmark’s executive leadership programs. He was a frequent speaker for training engagements at the University of Kansas Program for Executive Education, the African American Business Association at Washington University, St. Louis, and The University of Missouri-Kansas City. A strong proponent of African American entrepreneurship, Bob engaged in many entrepreneurial enterprises beginning as co-owner and Director of Public Relations for the Warriors, a Semi-Pro Detroit-based football team. After retiring from Hallmark, he once again realized his dream of business ownership with the purchase of Robert’s Hallmark Shop in Perimeter Mall; becoming, along with Brenda, the first African American couple to own a Hallmark Gold Crown store in metropolitan Atlanta. Believing in the importance of giving back, they hired a diverse staff, including several CUMC youth, to whom he imparted valuable lessons as well as a paycheck. After selling the store, Bob continued in sales and marketing in 2006 as an Independent Manufacturer’s Representative with Options Inc. During his 15 years with Options, he developed and managed accounts across Georgia, earning Sales Associate of the Year for 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2015, as well as numerous manufacturer’s awards. An avid sports enthusiast, in his youth, Bob cheered on the Detroit Lions, and inheriting a love of baseball from his father, followed the Detroit Tigers for many years. All bets were off, however, when he relocated to Atlanta. His favorite pastime was watching ALL the Atlanta teams: The Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and United. His enthusiasm was unwavering, even compelling him to drive hours out of town, family in tow, to watch his beloved Braves play. As a child of the sixties growing up in Detroit, his home was frequented by Motown/Hitsville elite such as Smokey Robinson, and he often boasted that he sold a fireplace construction to Melvin Franklin of the Temptations. He truly loved singing along with his oldies and held firmly to the belief that the Forty- Seven 8-track tapes he held onto would one day be back in vogue. Under the tutelage and apprenticeship of his father, a contractor, Bob also became a talented builder. Channeling his inner architect with his mathematical and artistic mind, he could build just about anything; measuring, analyzing, thoughtfully sizing up a build or repair for hours or days. Eventually, Bob would always figure out how to tackle the project. Most importantly, Bob was a man of faith and a true Servant Leader, ending his correspondence with “God First.” Raised Christian Science, he chose Methodism upon his marriage to Brenda and was baptized in the faith at Central United Methodist Church. Although a member of CUMC, while assigned to Hallmark corporate headquarters in Kansas City, he and his family joined St. James-Paseo United Methodist Church as Associate Members under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver. It was at St. James that Bob first became active in the United Methodist Men in 1992. Upon returning to Atlanta in 1994, Bob diligently served CUMC, exemplifying excellence and selflessness serving in numerous church leadership capacities including membership on the Finance, Pastor-Parish Relations, Nominations and Leadership Committees, the Development Committee Team, Church Council, Senior Lay Leader, and most recently the Board of Trustees. While Bob took all his roles and duties at CUMC seriously, he devoted hours of self and guided study to his Lay Servant Ministry developing and enhancing his knowledge, skills, and service to the CUMC congregation and the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bob was a member of the CUMC Men’s Choir and an enthusiastic member of the United Methodist Men who believed strongly in fostering the spiritual development of young men. He served as a member of the UMM Nominations Committee and was passionate about the Annual Men and Boys Retreat, serving as its Chair in 2004. The UMM benefited from his leadership as President for two 2-year terms, 2012 to 2015. Robert Arthur (Bob) Rowe was a brilliant man with a gentle spirit, a ready smile, and a contemplative soul who loved his family and was proud of accomplishments of family members and friends alike. His transition to our Lord, June 8, 2021 has left a tremendous void in the lives of all who knew and loved him. Preceded in his homegoing by his beloved parents; two sisters: Janice Rowe Lockhart and Robin R. Gillespie; a brother, Michael C. Rowe. He leaves to rejoice in sharing his life his companion for over 40 years and best friend, Brenda J. Davis Rowe; his devoted son, Robert A-A Rowe (Brendetta); a sister Nansi Irene Rowe, of Detroit.; a brother Richard A. Rowe (Denise) of Baltimore; his devoted Mother -in-law, Mrs. Idella B. Davis of Midland ; nieces: Angelique Robinson , Lisa R. Martin (Kevin), Nataki R. Vickers (Vince), and Leslie A-A. Rowe, all of Detroit, Justine M. Davis (Brian) of Ann Arbor; nephews: Richard D. Rowe and Malcolm J. Rowe of Baltimore; and Aaron J. Davis of Alexandria; and a host of others: cousins, great nephews and nieces and was “Uncle Bob” to many.

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