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Judge Robert Rowett Sr.
Robert Mellen Rowett, Sr. 78 of Mountain Home passed away on Monday, April 26, 2010. A viewing will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, April 30, 2010, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel and burial will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery.
Bob was born on July 14, 1931, in Mountain Home, to Victor Charles and Lottie Mellen Rowett. He died at home, three blocks from the home where he was born. In the 78 years between those two events was a life filled with service. Service to his family, his community, his church, the State of Idaho, and his country.
Bob graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1949. He attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1953 with a business degree and a commission in the United States Air Force. He received an LLB from the University of Idaho in 1959.
Bob practiced law with Perce Hall in Mountain Home from 1959 to 1970. He served as an Idaho State Senator from 1967 to 1970; served as Elmore County Prosecutor and was elected to serve as an Elmore County Magistrate from 1970 to 1976. In 1976 he was appointed to the bench and served as a Fourth Judicial District Court Judge from 1976 until he retired in 1996.
Bob was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity; 50 year member of Masonic Lodge #30; charter member of Mountain Home Elks Lodge; member of the board of the Idaho Episcopal Foundation and served on its finance committee; Elmore County Historical Society and Idaho State Bar Association. Bob was the Senior Warden for St. James Episcopal Church for many years.
Bob married Maxine L. Miller of Moscow, Idaho on December 28, 1952. He is survived by his wife of Mountain Home and four children: Victor Charles Rowett, Robert Mellen Rowett Jr. (Dana), Patricia Rowett-Matlock (David), and Rosemary Rowett Ash (Jerry). He has seven surviving grandchildren: Robert Mellen Rowett III, Adam Gentle (Marie), Klea Gentle, Benjamin Rowett, Brendan Ash, Corbin Ash, Caiden Ash, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two older brothers Victor John and Charles Williams Rowett, and sister Marjorie Sutherland.
Bob's life was a testament to his love of family and church. He gave of himself willingly and without question no matter what was asked. His quiet wit often took us unaware and his kindness to all never wavered.
Memorials in Bob's name may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 761 Mountain Home, ID 83647 or The American Cancer Society, 2676 So. Vista, Boise, ID 83705.