WOUNDED KOREAN WAR VETERAN, FARMER, BANKER, AND FRIEND, DEAN ROWDEN, HAS PASSED AWAY
Long-time community leader, Rowden’s Dairy owner, Wells River Savings Bank official, owner of several successful local businesses, candidate for public office, and an honored family man who returned to Wells River after his Korean War service with war wounds, Dean Rowden of Wells River died recently. He left a career path and reputation a mile long and two miles wide.
I always knew that when I needed an honest and direct personality to join me on WYKR Radio during one of the many shows I did to celebrate the military men and women’s greatness from these parts of the country, or needed a spokesman who was totally up on the local scene, Dean Rowden was at the top of my must-contact list.
Dean was never shy about expressing himself in answer to whatever questions I or other guests would have. We had radio and media forums at the P&H Truck Stop, at various schools, and in the studio. Dean was a valuable part of our veterans' group, local organizations, and business associates who put together multiple forums for the community to listen and participate.
He was involved with his community in many ways. As a young man just barely out of college, he was drafted into Uncle Sam’s ranks so that he could leave his life’s routine and go overseas to fight during the early part of the nasty Korean War that began in 1950.
He and I have had some long and fulfilling talks about his Korean War service, how a young man just out of college gets the official call to go and fight for his country. He gets badly wounded, recovers, returns home, and turns his life into an adventure that involves his family, his community—at the same time, creating a wide variety of admirable accomplishments. He was truly what heroes are made of.
I remember an interview I did with Dean a year or so ago. He told me that shortly after his UVM graduation, Uncle Sam reached out to him in the form of those famous “Greetings” notices issued from the Selective Service. He was ordered to report for a physical examination in Burlington and prepare for military service if he was selected. He had not planned any of that.
Before he knew it, he was at Fort Dix, New Jersey, undergoing Army basic training in 1951. He remembers it well because it was the first Christmas he spent away from home. After his initial basic training, he was sent out for further training and eventually ended up in Seattle, Washington, preparing for a boat trip to South Korea.
At the time, his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Milk Inspector. He said it was a critical MOS because there weren’t many soldiers who could perform that specific role. He also noted that his even more critical MOS was that of Basic Soldier, and regardless of milk testing for the military, he was a rifleman and would soon take his position with the 1st Cavalry Division, Seventh Calvary Regiment, 2d Battalion, which was part of the international fighting forces in Korea.
He told me he “took a slow boat for Korea,” that being a 10-day voyage by troopship to Pusan, Korea. At that port, he caught a ride in an Army six-by-six truck and headed north, and eventually crossed the 38th parallel, which divided South from North Korea. He was not in that country long before he was wounded, ended up in the hospital, was treated, eventually declared OK, and released to finally come back home and resume his life after being discharged from the Army in 1952.
Dean was not only good at business and planning for the future, but he also had a reputation as a singer. I had heard this, and during one of our interviews, I asked if he would be so kind as to bat out a stanza or two of one of his favorite ballads, lullabies, or other harmonious tunes out of his past.
Well, of course, he refused, as I knew he would. But one day during the noon lunch hour, Polly and I were at the Windy Ridge café having lunch, and I heard a group singing their rendition of “Happy Birthday” to a member of their family.
Within the choral program that day, I heard a familiar voice that sounded like he was enjoying the singing moment. I turned around to look at the table filled with happy guests, and there sat Dean Rowden, belting out the higher notes of the song, while having a wonderful time of it all.
That was the last time I saw Dean. I am glad I went over to chat with him. No matter where or when, I always knew Dean Rowden was suitable for a fun conversation. With his keen mind, we could review some of our earlier chats about his time in the service, on the farm, on the road, or in school.
Dean Rowden was one of those friends you don’t ever forget.

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