Ronald Earl Rowe, 77, science teacher

Ronald Earl Rowe, 77, of Glenside, a longtime science teacher, died Monday, Nov. 10, at Abington Memorial Hospital after a four-year battle with cancer.

Born Oct. 29, 1937, Mr. Rowe was raised in West York, Pa., and graduated from West York High School in 1955. In 1959, he graduated from Millersville State Teachers College, now Millersville University, with a bachelor's degree in science education.

Mr. Rowe went on to pursue his master's degree in teaching from Cornell University and graduated in 1963. He started his career teaching earth sciences at Octorara High School in Chester County and went on to teach chemistry classes for seven years at Scott High School in Coatesville and Coatesville Area High School.

In 1970, Mr. Rowe received a scholarship from the National Science Foundation to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a certificate as a supervisor of science education. He taught at the college and helped run its chemistry lab before earning his Ph.D. in 1976.

In 1976, Mr. Rowe became an assistant professor at Beaver College, now Arcadia University, where he taught interdisciplinary classes in science and mathematics for 13 years and eventually became the college's education chair. In 1986, he received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

In 1989, Mr. Rowe began a 10-year career in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District in Chester and Delaware Counties, coordinating science classes from kindergarten through 12th grade and developing science curriculums while teaching physics. He retired in 1999.

Mr. Rowe is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marjorie Hope Scott Rowe; a daughter, Kimberly H. Rowe; a son, Steven S. Rowe; and three grandchildren.

Services were held Saturday, Nov. 15.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church of Wyncote, 217 Fernbrook Ave., Wyncote, Pa. 19095.