Roll Call Tribute

Dr. Joseph Milton Rowe, Jr.
October 27, 1930 - September 30, 2021

Dr. Joseph "Joe" Milton Rowe, Jr. passed away peacefully on September 30, 2021, in Murphy, Texas with his brother and sister-in-law by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents Milton and Lula Rowe, his sister Millie (Glenn) Vernotzy. He is survived by his brother Thomas (Donna) Rowe, sister Patricia Kurke and many nieces and nephews. He was a loving and generous brother and uncle.

Joe was born on October 27, 1930, in Akron, Ohio where he lived the first part of his life. He attended St. Joseph School and St. Vincent High School and graduated in 1948.

He attended St Mary's in Cleveland, and St. Gregory's in Cincinnati, Ohio where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1953. Then he earned his Master of Arts with a double major in History from Kent State in 1956. He attended The University of Michigan for 4 years (1955-1959) working towards his Ph.D., before completing all degree requirements, Joe was hired by The United States Air Force as a National Defense Historian assigned to the Department of the Air Force, Strategic Air Command (1959-1964). Joe wrote the History of the United States Air Force for 3 different Air Force Bases. While stationed at Headquarters, Fifteenth Air Force (SAC, March Air Force Base, California), he also taught history in the extension program of Chapman College, Orange, California.

In 1965, Joseph started his teaching career as a History Professor at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where he taught History to many students for over 42 years. During that time he finished his Doctorate in History at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Joe was presented with an Appreciation of Twenty-Five Years of Service and a Dedication of Service to the Department of History from 1965-2007.

Dr. Joseph M. Rowe, Jr. will be laid to rest in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.