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Robert Nelson Rowley, 76

Robert Nelson Rowley, 76, passed away on April 10, 2019. The extraordinary care from his wife, support of his family, and firm belief in his salvation gave him peace throughout his long health struggle.

Robert was born to Eldon and Arva Rowley in Provo, Utah, on March 17, 1943. He grew up in Utah and Nevada with siblings Ranae, Mark and MaryAnn. He graduated from BYU with a law enforcement degree in 1970, and later attended Concordia Theological Seminary in 1983, and Concordia University, Wisconsin, in 2002, earning his lay ministry degree. From Seattle vice cop to Lutheran minister, his jobs were varied and numerous, full of new business ventures and his great salesman skills (“You look like a man who wears shoes …”).

Robert’s favorite vocations, however, were as husband and father. He married his sweetheart, Sandra Lynn Muller, on June 22, 1968. They enjoyed 50 faithful and faith-filled years together. The proud parents of three children, Jeff, Greg, and Amy, they moved to North Idaho in 1976 and raised their family in Post Falls. Robert loved his family. His kids all eventually moved back to the area with families of their own, hoping to return the love and support he had always given them.

Robert enjoyed family activities, whether attending thousands of concerts and sporting events, singing on scenic car trips, or smelling his grandkids’ “stinky toes.” His telling and retelling of stories were semi-mostly based on truth. He was a voracious reader, a Civil War buff, a bottomless pit of random facts and trivia, a lover of used car shopping and a good deal. He was a creative doctor-upper of soup, enthusiastic tomato grower and sunset admirer. A persistent researcher of dog breeds, he was on a never-ending quest to find the perfect dog that Sandra would relent and actually let him get, or he would just bring a stray mutt home while she was out of town.

A longtime member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, Robert served as a chaplain and on numerous boards and committees over the years. He enjoyed many good friends from their Bible study groups. He also served as a minister at Immanuel Lutheran in New Plymouth, Idaho, Concordia Lutheran Church in Weiser, Idaho, and Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Mullan, Idaho.

Robert is survived by his wife, Sandra; his children, Jeff and LeeAnn Rowley, Greg and Jillian Rowley and Amy and Jason Roth; his grandkids, Allison and Alex Inskeep, Kirsten, Madeline, Taylin, Marin, Gavin and Piper; brother, Mark Rowley; sister, MaryAnn Dostaler and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; brother, Arden; sister, Ranae and nephew, Casey.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on April 23, 2019, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene. Donations may be made in Robert’s name to Christ the King or Hospice of North Idaho.

Arrangements have been entrusted to English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls. Please visit Robert’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com and share a message of condolence.