Cadet Ray Rowe and Pal Killed
Newton Youth Is Victim of Army Plane Crash Near Kelly Field
Son of S. C. Rowe Instantly Killed When Big Bomber Fell – Will Be Brought Home
NEWTON, KS – Associated Press dispatches from San Antonio, telling the shocking news of the accidental death of Ray M. Rowe, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Rowe of this city, in an army airplane crash, were confirmed in messages from official sources at Kelly Field to the parents. Mr. Rowe left at once by Santa Fe train for San Antonio to make arrangements to bring his son here for funeral and burial.
Flying Cadet Rowe and a pal, Benjamin Ellsworth Tilton, both students in the advanced flying school at Kelly Field, according to the messages, were instantly killed shortly before noon Wednesday, April 30, when the bombardment plane in which they were making a short flight crashed about ten miles south of Bandera. The heavy plane was demolished but did not burn and the bodies of the two cadets were returned to Kelly Field that evening.
No further particulars of the fatal crash had been received here, and neither was it possible to state when Mr. Rowe would return with his sons, nor to give details of funeral plans.
Cadet Ray Rowe was a fine, upstanding youth who grew up here, graduating from the Newton High School in 1926. He then enrolled in Lake Forrest University, where he entered the U. S. Service. He was sent to March Field, California, for his preliminary training, later going to Kelly Field for advanced training as an army pilot and instructor. He was born March 20, 1908, and had a twin brother who died at the age of three years. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Rowe also reside here, and Lester Rowe, an uncle, is a resident of Newton. He was a popular lad as a student here, and there is great interest among friends of the family in learning more of the details of how the crash came about.
Cadet Tilton, companion of Cadet Rowe, was a New York boy, four years older than the Newton boy. He was graduate of Cornell University in 1929, entering the service after completing his college work. The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton Kansas. Thursday, May 1, 1930. Page 1. (c) Transcribed by Darren McMannis for the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, Inc.
Cadet Ray Rowe Funeral
Word has been received that the body of Ray Rowe who killed in an aprplane accident at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, will arrive in Newton Saturday night and the funeral service will be held in the Christian Church of Newton, Monday afternoon at two thirty with Rev. Harold Dickins in charge.
The message stated that a military funeral was held at Kelly Field at two o’clock this afternoon and that the train bringing the body to Newton would have a flying cadet escort. The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton Kansas. Friday May 2, 1930. Page 5 (c) Transcribed by Darren McMannis for the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, Inc.
Obituary – Ray M. Rowe
Ray M. Rowe was born in Newton, Kansas, March 20, 1908 and passed away at Kelly Field (Aviation) near San Antonio, Texas, April 30, 1930, aged 22 years, 1 month, 10 days. He was the son of Samuel C. and Frances L. Rowe of Newton, Kansas.
Ray was educated in the Newton public and high schools, graduating from the latter in the class of 1926. He was a good student, well liked, somewhat quit and retiring. Being desirous of carrying on in the field of education in order to lay the right foundation for useful life, he matriculated as a student in the Business Administration course in Lake Forest College, Illinois in September 1926 and became a leader in the activities of the institution.
During his Newton school days he was active in the affairs of the school, serving as treasurer of one of his classes and filling other offices. In Lake Forest he was a member of Phi Pi Epsilon, a member of the student council and in both high school and college he was a member of the track team. He completed two years of college work and in his Sophomore year was on the honor roll. December 20, 1925 he made the good confession of his faith in Jesus Christ, and was baptized into Him, united with the Newton Christian Church.
He became a member of the National Guard in Newton, Kansas in order that he might enter the United States Aviation service. In March, 1929 he became an aviator cadet at March Field near Riverside, California, where he served one year when he was transferred to Kelly Field, Texas, March 1, 1930. On April 30, 1930, along with Flying Cadet Tilton of Utica, N.Y., he was tragically killed when the plane in which they were flying crashed to the ground.
He is survived by his sorrowing father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Rowe of Newton, Kansas, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Rowe of Newton, Kansas and Mrs. Elida Walker of Waupaca, Wisconsin, one uncle and family, Lester Rowe of Newton, Kansas, one aunt and family, Mrs. Ruth Pyetzki of Horton, Kansas, besides many uncles, aunts, and other relatives, and a host of friends who knew him and will revere his memory.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, May 6, in the Christian Church were conducted by Harold E. Dickins, minister. Mrs. A. J. Duff presided at the piano and a quartet composed of M. R. Stauffer, Bob Duff, Newton Bogges and C. M. Chitty sang appropriate songs. Interment in Greenwood cemetery. The National Guard supplied the Guard of Honor, firing squad and a bugler to sound Taps. Three airplanes from Fort Riley, Kansas circled the city and Church during the service and dropped flowers on the grave whilst the body was being lowered to its last resting place. Cadet Wagner, who accompanied the body from Texas, was present, in uniform, representing the cadets of Kelly Field.
Members of the Newton High School class of 1926, with which Ray was graduated, performed the last service for their classmate. The active pall bearers were chosen from the class and were Lloyd Williams, Jack Grove, Verl Charter, Adrian Shull, Weston George, and Lyle Carmain. The flower girls were Glenna Williams, Elga Brown, Esther Fick, Mildred Haury, Anna Marie Haury, and Esther Ediger. The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton Kansas. Wednesday, May 7, 1930. Page 5. (c) Transcribed by Darren McMannis for the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, Inc.
.