Earle Rowdon Sr.

Col. (Ret.) Earle John “Duke” Rowdon, Sr. of Queenstown, MD. died Tuesday, December 17, 2002 at the Memorial Hospital in Easton, MD following a massive heart attack. He was 77. Born in Glen Olden, near Philadelphia, PA on August 15, 1925, the son of John M. and Freida Kohler Rowdon. Graduated from Glen Nor High School in the class of 1943. Mr. Rowdon enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp immediately following his graduation from high school in 1943. He served in the Army Air Corp and the United States Air Force for over 29 years until his retirement in 1972. During that time his overseas service included the occupation forces in Japan immediately following WW II, as well as later tours of duty in North Africa, Taiwan and Vietnam. During his service he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Oakleaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Star, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 2 Oakleaf Clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon,. and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. During his career he earned his Navigator/Bombardier Wings, Pilot Wings and Command Pilot Wings. He retired in 1972 at the rank of full Colonel. Col. Rowdon received his Bachelor of Science degree at Rollins College, Patrick Air Force Base, FL in 1976. His careers then were in real estate and teaching. In 1947 he married Lora Marvel of Philadelphia, PA. She predeceased him in 1996. Mr. Rowdon then married his beloved wife, Rose J. Marvel Rowdon (nee Perrone). Mr. Rowdon was chapter president of the Retired Officers Association (TROA), member and past board member of Prospect Bay Country Club and past president of MISGA, state and local (Prospect Bay), member of Prospect Bay Yacht Club, M.G.A. at Prospect Bay Country Club, PBCC Poker Club, Chairman of Prospect Bay Golf and Greens Committee, Board Member of Prospect Bay Country Club, Board member of American Cancer Society, and a member and trustee of Immanuel United Methodist Church. He leaves behind many wonderful friends who enriched his life on a daily basis. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Earle J. (Jack) Rowdon of Severn, MD, Robert Eric (Rick) Rowdon of Harwood, VA, William Craig Rowdon of Springfield, VA, a daughter, Linda Gegg of Burke, VA, 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Two grand daughters, Stacy and Jennifer Rowdon predeceased him. The family will have a Celebration of Life memorial service on Friday, December 27, 2002 at 11:00 am at Immanuel United Methodist Church, Grasonville, MD. Full Military Honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, January 9, 2003 at 9:00 am. Family requests contributions to be directed to American Heart Association, 411 Fairview Drive, Chestertown, MD 21620 or Air Force Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 50, Temple Hills, MD 20757.