Howard Rose, 86
Howard Coburn Rose died on January 25, 2008 in Rochester,
Minnesota. He was born on May 18, 1922 in
Wells, Minnesota and graduated from Tracy High School
in Tracy, Minnesota in 1940. He earned a Bachelor
of Arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield,
Minnesota, a Masters degree from the University
of Colorado in Greeley and a Doctoral degree from
the University of North Dakota.
Dr. Rose’s college training was interrupted
by service as a combat paratrooper in the United
States Army during the Second World War. During
his two and one-half years overseas he was stationed
in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Belgium
and he was seriously wounded during the Battle of
the Bulge. He was decorated for valor and
received two Purple Hearts during his years in the
service.
Dr. Rose married his one true love, Clarice Joy
Nelson, of Tracy, Minnesota on August 17, 1946.
They had four children together, Terry, Nancy, Steven,
and Douglas.
Dr. Rose served as head football coach at St. James
(Minnesota) and Alexander Ramsey (Minnesota) high
schools where his teams enjoyed great success.
He then assumed administrative posts at Alexander
Ramsey and at Capitol View (Minnesota) junior high
school. Dr. Rose subsequently joined
the Education Department faculty at St. Olaf College
where he achieved the academic rank of tenured Professor,
Chaired the Education Department, and was appointed
Dean of Academic Affairs. During his tenure
on the St. Olaf faculty he received a grant from
the American Council on Education to further his
administrative experience at San Fernando Valley
State College in Northridge, California.
Dr. Rose served as President of Valley City State
College in Valley City, North Dakota from 1970 through
1974. He subsequently was appointed as a Dean
and Graduate Dean at the University of Wisconsin
in La Crosse from which he retired. Dr. Rose
and his beloved wife Clarice continued to play an
active role in college education for several years
after retirement through service as Senior Mentors
at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks,
California. They each received Distinguished
Service Award medals for their exemplary contributions
to the students and faculty of California Lutheran.
Dr. Rose was honored for his lifetime achievements
by selection to the “Wall of Fame” at
Tracy High School in 2004. During his later
years, Dr. Rose battled Parkinson’s disease
with remarkable courage, tenacity, dignity, and
grace.
Dr. Rose was preceded in death by a son, Terry Nelson
Rose and by a sister, Dorothy Rose Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Clarie, a daughter,
Nancy, two sons, Steven and Douglas, and six grandchildren;
Jack, Tom and Katy Kiger; Meghan Rose; and Sarah
and Matthew Gibson.
Dr. Rose was most proud of his family. He
and Clarie shared over 61 years of marriage and
their steadfast devotion to one another is an inspiration
to those around them. A loving father and
grandfather to his children and grandchildren, he
found great joy in their successes and provided
solace during times of distress. He considered
his marriage to Clarie, his children, and his grandchildren
to be his greatest legacy. He will live forever
in their hearts.
A funeral service was conducted on January 28, 2008,
at the United Methodist Church in Tracy, Minnesota
where Howie and Clarie were married. Memorials
are suggested to Mayo Foundation for Parkinson’s
disease research or to California Lutheran University.
Clarice resides in Rochester, Minnesota. Contact
information is: Clarice Rose, Madonna Towers, 4001
19th Avenue Northwest, Rochester, Minnesota
55901 (507) 536-2882
Mahn Family Funeral Home-Rochester Chapel assisted
the family.