Nathan “Nate” E. Rowles died July 26, 2012. Born June 12, 1940 in Grampian, he was the son of Richard and Helen (Bloom) Rowles.
He graduated from the Curwensville Area High School in 1958 after which he moved to North Tonawanda. He worked his way up in construction from a surveyor to an estimates/engineer for various companies, including ABC. He ended his career with Yarussi Construction.
Mr. Rowles was a member of the Green Beret Special Forces and spent his military career mainly in the Far East from 1963 to 1965. In later years, he joined Global Volunteers and traveled extensively in the Far East, as well as the western U.S. with his family.
One of his many joys was his volunteer work on the Tall Ship S.T.V. Fair Jeanne with his friend, Bob Blow. He was a member of the American Legion Stephen Sikora Post, Loyal Order of Moose and Kennedy Rifles Drill Team. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and volunteered with the Community Corner Cafe “CCC”.
He was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Richard Rowles; his brother, Kenneth and several nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; brothers, Richard, Arnold (Betty), Ardell (Sally) and Everett and sisters, Theo (late James) Hepburn, Dorothy (late Rusty) Knepp, Karen (late August) Hugney and Melanie Rowles; a sister-in-law, Kyle Rowles; a brother-in-law, Thomas (Janet) Gertz and many adoring nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Family will be present to greet relatives and friends from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 65 Main St., North Tonawanda, where memorial services and military honors will be held at 2 p.m.
If desired, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Arrangements are by Wattengel Funeral Home. Online guest registry is at www.Wattengel.com.
