Walter Hersh Rowe

Walter Hersh Rowe, 93, died December 14, 2014. He was born in Mifflin, PA, on November 18, 1921. A graduate of Millerstown High School, he excelled in sports, earning the nickname "Varsity." From 1942 until 1945, he served in the U.S. Navy, and on February 16, 1945, he married L. Jean Brannan. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a locomotive fireman and later as an engineer, but a trip west awakened Walter's love for New Mexico. In 1953, the Atomic Energy Commission hired him as a security guard and he moved his family to Los Alamos. He spent nights patrolling remote canyons and days fishing and exploring the Jemez Mountains. In 1955, he transferred to Albuquerque as a security specialist and courier for AEC (later the Department of Energy), until his retirement in 1983. He then worked part-time for several defense contractors and for the International Arabian Horse Show. Walter's fascination with Biblical archaeology drew him several times to Israel, where he took part in archeological digs. He and Jean traveled to many destinations in the U.S., Canada, Egypt, Australia and the British Isles, and enjoyed their annual visits to friends in Alaska for salmon fishing. Walter volunteered for the International Arabian Horse Show in Albuquerque and in Louisville, KY, and at the International Balloon Fiesta. An enormous fan of horseracing, and a racehorse owner himself, Walter delighted in visiting the track. He loved animals and was devoted to his Lab, "Moe." Walter was preceded in death by his wife, L. Jean Rowe, in 2013. He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Foote and husband, Bill, of Albuquerque, Linda Hardy and husband, Bill, of El Valle Escondido, NM, and Sandra Rowe of Springfield, MO. His four grandchildren include Jeremy Foote and wife, Lisa Benski, of Durango, CO, Jennifer Foote and husband, Steve Curtice, of Albuquerque, Tiffany Reynolds and husband, James, of Springfield, MO and Kelsey Profitt, of Springfield. Walter is also survived by six great-grandchildren and his sister, Helen Harper, of Carlisle, PA. The family extends its gratitude to Deborah Waldman and the staff of Whitney House, Felicia Chavez, Monica Dominguez, Tyonna Lueras, Demi Lueras, and Annette Miller, as well as to caregivers from Home Care. A Memorial Service celebrating Walter's life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 9100 Menaul Blvd. NE, where Walter has been a member since 1955. Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to St. Luke's Lutheran Church or to Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, 615 Virginia SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108.