Franklin Edward Lee Rower

Franklin Edward Lee “Buzz” Rower was born February 14,1931 in Columbus, Ohio to Earle and Fern Rower during the depression. His family lived on his grandparents' farm near Kalida, Ohio. They helped with the farming to earn their keep. In his early childhood, they also lived in Toledo, Ohio and Royal Oak, Michigan.

Buzz’s parents divorced when he was 10. He and his older sister, Jean, lived with their mother who ran a boarding house. Buzz worked alongside his mother to plan and prepare meals for the house, where he developed his love of cooking.

At 14, he moved to live with his father. At 15, he moved back to his grandparents’ farm to help manage and run it. He plowed, planted, harvested, fed and milked cows, and fished for catfish in the river. He attended Kalida High School, where he enjoyed boxing and lettered in basketball.

Buzz joined the Navy in 1950 and was sent to train in San Diego. He served as a firefighter at El Centro NAS and as a Damage Control Officer aboard the USS Kearsarge during the Korean war. Soon after, he became an apprentice carpenter and began working for J.P. Bender Construction. Buzz worked hard, learned, progressed, and was hired by Dunphy Construction Co. He became an estimator, project manager, and retired there as V.P. of construction.

In 1953, while in the Navy, he married his first wife Arlene (Bender). They moved to Spring Valley where they raised their 4 children. Arlene passed away in 1976.

On March 4,1978, Buzz married Martha (Campbell). In 1979, they moved to University City. He retired there and spent many years traveling and making the most of life. He always enjoyed the outdoors, beach, golf, tennis, fishing, dancing, cooking, and any time with friends and family.

His life of service is an example for us all. He worked many hours at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and for the YMCA camps, organizing work groups, building cabins, and later serving on their Board of Directors. He also served on the board for the Home of Guiding Hands, was President of the local chapter of the American Society of Professional Estimators, and his last big project was the remodel of the Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Parish facilities.

His final life challenges were met with astonishing strength, determination, and grace.

He is survived by his wife Martha, sons David (Phyllis), Steven (Gail), James (Judi), daughter Cathy (Rick), 10 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren, half-brothers Frank (Michaele) and Richard, and many nieces and nephews.