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Roger Rowcliffeof Philip, South Dakota, died on Saturday, August 3, 2019
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Roger Eugene Rowcliffe was born March 5, 1951, in Philip, South Dakota, the second of five children born to Charles and Louise (Millar) Rowcliffe. He grew up in Philip where he graduated from Philip High School in 1969.
After graduation, Roger enlisted into the US Navy. He did his basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois, and worked for the next 20 years as a machinist on various Naval ships including USS Kitty Hawk, the USS Fox, the USS Coral Sea, the USS Midway, the USS Niagara Falls, the USS Flint and did some Naval recruitment in Bremerton, Washington. Roger spent 17 of the 20 years in the Navy out at sea. During his military service, Roger was united in marriage to Charlotte Stairs while in California.
After retiring from the US Navy on March 31, 1990, he made his home in San Diego, where he continued working on Naval ships as a private contractor. He briefly moved to Manhattan, Kansas, before moving to Philip after his father Charles’ death. He has since remained in Philip.
Roger enjoyed wood-working, reading, and gardening, and was known for making wooden ball-point pens.
Survivors include his four siblings Harold Rowcliffe of Philip, Evelyn Heide of Philip, Hazel Rowcliffe of Philip, and Ann Roberts and her husband Richard of Ft. Collins, Colorado; two nephews JD Roberts and his wife Angela and their kids Julie Ann and Charles, all of Ft. Collins, and AJ Roberts and his wife Katherine and their daughter Bethany of Kimball, Nebraska; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte; his parents; and a sister-in-law Betty Rowcliffe.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 am Monday, August 5, at the United Church in Philip.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Monday, August 5, 2019 - 11:00 a.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Deb Smith - Vocalist
“Amazing Grace”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
Special Music
“Go Rest High”
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance