Tuolumne resident and retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief David C. “Dave” Rowe passed away on Sept. 16, 2022, at the age of 65.
Dave lived in Angels Camp for about 40 years before moving to the farm on Apple Colony in Tuolumne last year. He was born in Alameda and raised in San Leandro, where he attended Marina High School, class of 1975. He fell in love with his high school sweetheart. Dave also fell in love with the fire service in 1977 as a seasonal firefighter. At one time, he was (one of) the voices of CDF (later Cal Fire) dispatch in San Andreas.
Dave first came to Arnold as a boy when his parents built a cabin there. He always knew he would leave the Bay Area and live in the mountains. As a teenager, he worked at Diamond-O Boy Scout Camp and led hikes all over Yosemite and the Sierras. He loved God’s creation. He loved the Lord, Jesus Christ, and was a member of Foothill Community Church, attended Mountain Christian Fellowship in Murphys, and most recently Sierra Bible Church. He was a man of quiet faith, who put his family first. He will also be remembered for his crazy sense of humor.
Dave is survived by his wife of 43 years, Wrenae Holler Rowe; son, Daniel (wife Sophia) Rowe; and grandsons Elan, Finley, Oliver and Booker. He was preceded in death by his father, Elgin Rowe (2006), son Patrick Rowe (2013), mother, Letty Rowe (2020), and sister, Julie Rowe Kunesh (2021).
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Sierra Bible Church in Sonora.
Memorial donations may be made to Ken Onstad Benevolent Fund (Cal Fire) and Samaritan’s Purse.
–