James "Ted" Rowe

James "Ted" Rowe, age 86, of Marshall, Minnesota, died peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Bethesda Grand nursing facility in Willmar, Minnesota. Following private memorial services, a public visitation will be offered from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment will be at a later date, next to his wife in the Houghton (Michigan) City Cemetery. 

James Theodore Rowe was born on October 8, 1937, in Dayton, Ohio, to Harry and Margaret (Meyers) Rowe, the youngest child of three. Ted and his siblings lived an idyllic childhood. His father worked for the National Cash Register company and his mother was a homemaker.

Ted graduated from Stivers High School in Dayton in 1955. He then went on to Denison University in Granville, Ohio, graduating in 1959, followed by Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where he received his master's degree. Ted then entered a career teaching math to hundreds, if not thousands, of college students.

Ted was recruited to southwest Minnesota. A 4-year college was starting in Marshall, Minnesota, and in 1969 Ted arrived at Southwest State University. He spent the next 33 years teaching math and other related subjects. Ted also served as Faculty President, the Math/Computer Science Department Chair, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. Ted's legacy includes a high school scholarship with a math emphasis at Marshall High School. In fact, He and Aileen each have a memorial scholarship.

He married the love of his life, Aileen Haug Paterson, in 1978. Together they made their mark in Marshall heading many organizations and fundraising groups. Ted was a community leader in Marshall, starting the Sunrise Rotary Club in 1973 and remained active until recently. Ted received many awards in Rotary and formed many lifelong friends.

Ted served on the Marshall City Council, the Marshall Utilities Commission, and Marshall Chamber of Commerce. He loved to play Bridge and he wrote a themed newspaper column entitled "Holding Hands with Ted Rowe" for about 30 years. When playing cards started to wane, he changed to "Oh' Fiddlesticks," a general interest column.

Ted was active at the YMCA where he played racquetball then enjoyed coffee with friends. Ted retired from teaching in 2002 and was then able to enjoy cards at the Adult Community Center. He and Aileen loved to travel; the couple visited all seven continents. 

He is survived by step-children, Bill (and Deb) Paterson of Willmar, Sally (and Ron) Ingle of Glendale, AZ, Anne (and Dale) Matz of Chehalis, WA; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Sanchez Paterson (and Yunior Sanchez Guillen) of Brainerd; Sarah (and Cameron) Holm of Sacred Heart, Keesha Matz of Missoula, MT, Cody Matz of Bozeman, MT; special step-great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Sanchez Paterson, Lee Holm; sister, Nancy Ross of Springfield, VA; other relatives and friends. 

Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Aileen in 2020; brother, Donald (and Shirley) Rowe; and brother-in-law, James Ross.