Rowe remembered at Rancho Santa Fe School board meeting

As it was the first Rancho Santa Fe School board meeting since the loss of R. Roger Rowe, RSF School District Superintendent Lindy Delaney made room on the agenda to remember her beloved mentor and friend.

Rowe started at the RSF School District in 1958, the same year Delaney was born, a fact she pointed out when she first interviewed with him at age 27. She was sure she had blown it by bringing up the age subject and how long he had been in Rancho Santa Fe, but Rowe didn’t flinch—“he was happy because he loved being here,” Delaney said.

Delaney said it has been a tough time since his passing, but she has received numerous thoughtful emails and calls from the community. She was most touched by one she received from a current Rowe first grader that read: “I’m sorry you lost Dr. Rowe. You and Dr. Rowe built a great school.”

Delaney said the school will commemorate Rowe after his March 18 birthday with ice cream for the students on Monday, March 19. The tribute will be fitting as she said Rowe was always a strong advocate of “Dessert first.”

A community memorial service for Rowe will be held on Saturday, March 31 at 1 p.m. at the Village Community Presbyterian Church (6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., 92067; 858-756-2441; www.villagechurch.org).

If possible, those who plan to attend are encouraged to carpool to prevent traffic/parking congestion.