David. W. Rowe

Oct. 25, 1965-Aug. 13, 2011

David W. Rowe, 45, of Kearney, Nebraska, died accidently on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, in Estes Park, Colorado where he was on a jeep adventure with his family and friends.

David was born on Oct. 25, 1965, in Lamar, Colorado to Donald and Fran Rowe. He grew up in Granada, Colorado until he was 12 and then moved to Bandon, Oregon. He graduated from Granada High School in Granada, Colorado in 1984. He attended Lamar Community College and then graduated from Northwest Kansas Area Vocational-Technical School in Goodland, Kansas with an Electrical Technology Diploma.

On Nov. 30, 1985, he married Leah Hoyt in McCook, Nebraska. The couple lived in St. Francis, Kansas, where David worked for the City of St. Francis as a lineman. Their first son, Levi, was born in August of 1986 and they then moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma where David worked for the City of Ponca City as a lineman. Their second son, Noah, was born in September of 1988. In August of 1990 they moved to Kearney, Nebraska where David worked with O & M Crew for the Nebraska Public Power District. He then became a sub station technician for NPPD and advanced to his current position of Senior Sub Station Technician. He worked for NPPD for 21 years.

Throughout his 45 years of life, David had numerous hobbies including: RC Trucks and Airplanes, Sky Diving, Bunge Jumping, Fishing, Four Wheeling, Archery and Hunting, Boating and Water sports, Snow skiing, Camping, Auto Restoration and Mechanics, Golfing along with Golf Cart Races, and Vintage Vehicles. David earned his private Pilot's License in 2010 and was a certified Scuba Diver. David was admired as a man of many talents and trades.

David was baptized as a Baptist and then joined First Lutheran Church in Kearney, Nebraska.

David is survived by his wife Leah Rowe and his sons Levi and wife Jen of Kearney, Nebraska, Noah and his wife Lerrin of Elm Creek, Nebraska, his parents Fran and Donald Rowe of Pleasanton, Nebraska, brothers Robert Rowe and special friend Teri Sadler of Kearney, Nebraska and Mike Rowe and his wife Sabrina of Pleasanton, Nebraska, and his sister Shelia White and husband Paul of Ravanna, Nebraska. Other survivors include his father-in-law and wife, Larry and Patsy Hoyt of McCook, Nebraska, mother-in-law LeAnna Leibrandt of Fort Collins, Colorado, Sisters-in-law, Lynda Woodard and husband Justin of Wellington, Colorado, Lanae Fritsch and husband Bob of McCook, Nebraska and Leila Koetter of McCook, Nebraska, as well as 18 nieces and nephews, 10 great nieces and nephews and no way of telling how many cousins, aunts and uncles.

David was preceded in death by his grandparents George and Edna Rowe of Granada, Colorado and Ralph and Alice Adams of Quantico, Virginia, brother James Rowe of Granada, Colorado and infant sister Debra Rowe, grandparents-in-law LeRoy and Lois Leibrandt, Marvin and Rouene Hoyt and brother-in-law Darin Koetter all of McCook, Nebraska.

He was respected by many and loved by all who knew him. Many, many lives have been influenced by his love, generosity, spirit, and passion for life.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 at 2 pm at the O'Brien-Straatman Funeral Home, 4115 Avenue N, Kearney, Nebraska.

Public viewing will take place from noon-2 p.m., on Thursday, before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions that can be applied to a future memorial, these may be sent to 3610 Avenue L, Kearney, NE 68847.