Retired Flint Township Fire Chief Donald Rowley, 85, died Nov. 5 at his residence.
He started his firefighting career in 1958 as an on-call firefighter for Flint Township, becoming full-time in 1961. He was promoted to chief in 1982 and served until his retirement in 1994.
Current Flint Township Fire Chief Thomas Stadler said despite having retired 24 years ago, Rowley was a fixture around the fire department and at the township.
“I didn’t work under him, but I knew him well,” said Stadler. “He was around regularly and was part of department way beyond his retirement. Until recently he served the township in various roles, including as a member of the planning commission.”
Rowley served on the planning commission until this past summer, when he stepped down.
Stadler said he and many of the firefighters would remember Rowley as a mentor.