Cliff Rowley

EDITOR’S NOTE: A church community is created when people gather together for the love of God. At the same time, Saint Philip’s is comprised of many people who represent different ages, life experiences, and world views.

The “In conversation…” series is one attempt to create possibilities for connection between the different people in our community. As varied as we all are, there are also similarities and mutual interests waiting to be discovered. And there is one thing we all share: a desire to know God and be in relationship with him.

This week’s conversation is with parishioner Cliff Rowley.

How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since 2005.

How did you choose Saint Philip’s?
My wife Nancy and I visited a few churches and when we arrived at Saint Philip’s we saw Deacon Anne Strong with her daughter who is deaf. I knew immediately that Nancy and I (who are also deaf) had found a home.

Which service do you typically attend?
9:00am because that’s when the ASL interpreter is offered.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was raised and confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

How did you find your way to the Episcopal Church?
I loved the Lutheran church. But then I met Nancy who was Roman Catholic. We met while at Gallaudet University (a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing). It had different denominations on campus and we both liked the Episcopal service. We met an Episcopal priest who was deaf. He was a wonderful man and we asked him to officiate at our wedding. And since then, we’ve worshiped in the Episcopal church.

What brought you to Tucson?
Our daughter Amy attended a college in Washington, D.C. and on one of her visits home to New Jersey, she brought a friend with her. It was Jeannette Maré, the woman who would later found Tucson’s nonprofit Ben’s Bells. She dated our son John for a while and that was one reason he attended the University of Arizona.

After he graduated, John bought a house here. He is a chemist and found a good job in New Mexico. When he decided to move, Nancy and I moved into his house here in Tucson.

What did you do professionally before you retired?
I was a research chemist. I worked for a company called Lonza.

What did you like about that work?
I loved making things.

You graduated college long before the ADA existed. What was it like trying to find a job?
Back then it wasn’t friendly. I was told, “You’re deaf. You can’t communicate. You can’t use the telephone.” Interpreters weren’t available back then.

So how did you find the job you did?
I visited the company where my father had served as President (before he started his own business). I went there one day, walked into the office, and was recognized by an employee of my father’s. He asked how I was and I told him I wanted a job. He promised to be in touch and, sure enough, a few days later he called and offered me a job in the lab.

I developed a pilot plant making new products. For example, I used a pressure reactor to form chemicals. I worked there for 35 years.

What in particular do you appreciate about Saint Philip’s?
We like the beauty and history of the church. The priests are very helpful, and the people are very friendly.

How do you spend your time now that you’re retired?
I’m able to be more of service. I help organizations that serve the deaf. At one time I was President of TDI that provided teletypewriters (TTY) to people. It’s an electronic device that lets you text over a telephone line.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
Help others. My father was like that. I admired him greatly and wanted to follow his example.

What’s one of your super powers?
I’m ok protesting and speaking out to help others.

I’ve always tried to help other deaf people make their lives better. Sometimes the government doesn’t help the community so I have to protest, tell them to wake up. We need x, y, z to make deaf people’s children have better lives in the future.

What’s something that you’re proud of?
I’m proud of my family. Our son John is a research chemist at Los Alamos National Lab and also started his own award-winning brewery seven years ago in Santa Fe. It’s called Rowley Farmhouse Ales.

Amy is a trailblazer. She helped pave the way for parents to learn more about education for deaf children.

When she was young, we wanted her to attend public school with an interpreter. At that time New York State said they would provide a deaf instructor for a single hour. Nancy and I refused.

We filed a lawsuit that went on and on. It ultimately landed in front of the United States Supreme Court in 1982.*

What have I not asked that I should know?
After I met Nancy in college, I asked her to be my prom date. I was afraid to ask but am glad I did because 15 other boys asked her after I did. She told them she was already taken. I caught her!

What’s a fun fact about you?
I swam in the Deaflympics—but didn’t place. I have to brag about Nancy and tell you that she won the gold medal in backstroke, the silver in the relay, and the bronze in free style.

*As per the law firm Whitted + Takiff: The case of Rowley v. Hendrick Hudson School District was the U.S. Supreme Court’s first interpretation of what was then called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, “IDEA”). This important decision is required reading for anyone working in special education.

Missed an interview? All previous interviews can be found on Saint Philip’s website under the “About Us” tab. Click here to visit that page.