RIP Richard Lloyd Rowe

Richard affectionately known locally and internationally as “Dick” Rowe was the General Manager of Kennedy International Airport from 1983 to 1994 at a time when JFK was considered the largest airport in the world. He was the head of administration for Airport operation, maintenance and security for all tenants and customers.

Richard Lloyd Rowe (85) died on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at the Montefiore Hospital of respiratory complications. He was born in September 21, 1926 to Athelda and George Rowe in New York City. Richard attended public schools in New York City including Public School 186, Junior High School 164 and the prestigious Stuyvesant High School in the Bronx.

He was a solid family man. He married Mercedes L. Walker a devoted companion and New York City School Teacher in 1952. The Rowe’s had 3 children together and shared a rich community and church life over the years particularly with the Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle.

Dick Rowe’s professional story reads like a great American storybook. He was one of the stellar leaders of his generation which we now fondly call, The Great Society. He began his career with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1951 as a Port Authority Police Officer after serving in the Navy in WWII. Over the next twenty-five years, Richard Lloyd Rowe would “capture the American Dream” using his high school diploma, Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baruch College and his Master’s degree from City University of New York in Business Administration to progressively pass Civil Service tests and gain exposures in union relations, personnel administration and airport management which would eventually elevate him to many responsible management experiences.

Richard was a capable man of great vision and he had a passion for aviation and a keen interest in public administration, commerce, human resource management, facility operations and municipal planning that would pay-off for both he and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He was the past president of the International Personnel Management Association and a distinguished member of the Airport Operators Council International. Other professional and civic affiliations included: the Society for the Advancement of Management, the American Society of Training and Development, Mu Gamma Tau –National Honorary Management Fraternity, the National Advancement of Colored Peoples, the National Urban League and Kappa Alpha Alpha.

Richard was predeceased by Delroy, Gloria and Ronald (siblings) and Patricia Elizabeth Rowe-Anderson (daughter). Those left to mourn him are his brother, Sidney; his loving wife of nearly 60-years, Mercedes; Delena Rowe- Pugh and Richard (children); Georgiana Smith and Melba Smith(Sister-in-Law), Ronalda Smith (Niece), W. Calvin Anderson, Sr. (Son-in-Law), Sr.; Kasimu, Mercedes, Ronald, William Calvin, Shalia and Tricia (Grandchildren); Chianti, Kina, Kamisha, Charnae, Khalil, Nasir, Melena, Kamani, Calvin Lloyd and Jisele (Great Grandchildren).

Funeral service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle located on 50 Pentard Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801 on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 1 p.m.

Isaiah 40:31
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”