Bruce E. Rowland, 56, passed away in St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital, Milwaukee, on Monday, June 29, 2009. He was born in Racine on March 15, 1953 the son of Edward and Delores (nee: Booker) Rowland. Bruce served his country with both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. He was a correctional officer with R.C. I., for over 15 years. On Sept. 18, 1999 he was united in marriage to the former Kathleen Finn Bishop. Bruce was a member of the Racine R.C. Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and line dancing, but his greatest love was building and flying radio controlled airplanes. Surviving are his wife Kathleen, their children, Jason (Jennie) Rowland of Plainfield, IN, Tisa Hawes of Fond du Lac, Kathy (Frank) Lichtenwalner of Sturtevant, and Michael (Tania) Bishop of Racine; 9 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter; mother Dolores Vitacco of Harrisburg, IL; brother Jack (Doreen) Rowland of Salt Lake City, UT; sister Hollie Zertuche of Harrisburg, IL; and sister-in-law Gail Rowland of Spring Hill, FL. His nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends further survive Bruce. He was preceded in death by his father, 2 grandsons, and his brother Robert. A memorial service, with full military honors, celebrating Bruce’s life will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, July 2nd at 6:00 p.m., with Rev. Charlene B. Mills officiating. Relatives and friends can meet with the family on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Private inurnment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park.
Paul Willems says
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways ackowledge Him, and He will make staight your paths. May the Love & Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you & comfort you. I will be praying for you all.
With sincere sympathy,
Paul Willems
Racine R/C Club Webmaster
Paul Willems says
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your path. May the Love & Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you & comfort you. I will be praying for you all. With sincere sympathy, Paul Willems Racine R/C Club Webmaster
Larry Petricek says
I am the president of a Milwaukee RC club and a member of Racine RC also.
Bruce would come to our Float Fly event every year. I first got to know him as one of Ron Dixon’s friends.
Then Bruce and his family started showing up at Pat’s Oak manner in South Milwaukee, since the Hiawatha no longer had line dancing, and they are friends of Diana, who we are friends and dance with.
My wife and I sort of saw and kind of learned a couples dance to Waltz Across Texas while we were on one of our trips. But we never seemed to get it right.
One night Bruce and his wife were dancing with us and we were able to learn from them the right way to do the couples dance. Now every time we do it, it will be in honor and memory of Bruce.
When I joined the Racine RC club this year, Bruce promptly came up to me and offered me one of the two remaining spots to work the Compost Site. What a guy!
I may have some photos of Bruce from the float fly events. If I do, I will get them to Ron so he can get them to you.
We will miss him from flying and dancing. I hope some of the family will come back and dance with us again.