Gregory Rowe, former People's Light managing director

Gregory Rowe, 63, of Berwyn, an arts and culture visionary, whose business and fund-raising strategies helped push Philadelphia's cultural progress, died at his home Friday, Oct. 3, after a 14-month battle with cancer.

Mr. Rowe's knowledge of financial management led to one of the most successful periods in the history of People's Light & Theatre Company in Malvern, where he worked as managing director from 1983-1997.

During that time, the theater's operating budget tripled, capital assets quadrupled, and it developed one of the country's largest arts-education programs - all while remaining free of operating debt.

In 1997, Mr. Rowe brought his financial experience to the Pew Charitable Trusts, overseeing the culture program, which included the Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program and the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

In that role, Mr. Rowe taught cultural organizations and practitioners throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania how not only to remove themselves from a financial hole, but also to ensure their sustainability.

Born Sept. 17, 1951, in New Bern, N.C., Mr. Rowe graduated from West Carteret High School in Morehead City, N.C., in 1969.

He earned a bachelor's degree in theater in 1974 from North Carolina Central University and a master's degree in dramatic arts in 1975 from the University of North Carolina.

Looking to further his education, Mr. Rowe moved to Philadelphia to pursue his MBA at Temple University, which he received in 1983.

In 1986, Mr. Rowe found his husband and partner of 28 years, Ken Hamm. The two met at a health club in 1986 and went out to dinner that night.

Hamm said the two talked for hours about family, work, and everything else that was important to them. They were married at their home July 22, the 28th anniversary of the day they met.

"We just so totally clicked," Hamm said. "We became best friends, and we kept on, seeking out, wanting to be with each other."

The two traveled extensively together, visiting more than 100 countries. They especially loved going to beaches, Hamm said.

Mr. Rowe's expertise in both theater and business led him to People's Light in 1983, where he implemented numerous programs to bring in larger audiences and quality performers.

During Mr. Rowe's tenure, the theater created several enrichment programs such as Free Fest, a series of free nightly performances and preplay workshops for children, and Arts Discovery, which invites high school students to attend free performances.

"He cared so passionately about artists and the work they do," said theater CEO Abigail Adams, "and how important that work is to the cultural life of the region."

In 1994, Mr. Rowe told The Inquirer that the theater had been in the right place at the right time.

"We happened to have been working with educated and young people from the very beginning, back when these things were not very sexy to fund," he said. "And so, when they did become sexy programs to fund, we were there and had a track record, and so we've been very successful in funding those things."

At Pew, Mr. Rowe began working as a program officer, overseeing the culture program, which included the Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program and the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

His dual knowledge of business and theater led him to be respected by many in the arts community, Hamm said.

"I think everyone viewed him as somebody who started out in the theater community and made the transition to funder and helped both sides bridge that gap," Hamm said.

In 2001, Mr. Rowe helped develop the Cultural Data Project, an online fiscal-management tool, which is now used by thousands of cultural organizations and more than 100 donors throughout the country.

Mr. Rowe volunteered his knowledge throughout the regional arts scene. He served on the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Delaware Valley Grantmakers boards.

Feeling as if his work was done, he retired in 2013 to spend time with family.

In addition to his husband, Mr. Rowe is survived by his mother, Jean Rowe; brother Luther Rowe; and two nieces and two nephews. Mr. Rowe's father, Jerry Rowe, and brother Jay Rowe preceded him in death.

A memorial service will at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, Pa. 19355.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Rowe's name may be made to the People's Light & Theatre Company.