Brock C. Rowley

Brock Colson Rowley, 91, passed away peacefully at his home on Hilton Head Island, SC on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Brock was born in Hulah, Oklahoma on December 1, 1932, the son of Eunice York and Lawrence Colson. In 1934 Eunice would marry Robert L. Rowley, who adopted Brock soon thereafter. 

 Brock excelled academically and advanced ahead by two grades, graduated Salutatorian of his class at Keystone Oklahoma High School at the age of 15.  Brock entered Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the age of 16. An outstanding athlete, Brock signed with the St. Louis Cardinals at the age of 18 and played in the minor league system with the Houston Buffaloes. Brock was drafted by the US Army and served two years at Fort Sill, Oklahoma while continuing to play baseball for the Army. After his service, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas, graduating as an honor student with a civil engineering degree in 1957. 

While at the University of Arkansas, Brock interned with John F. Beasley Construction in Muskogee, Oklahoma in the field of steel erection. Upon graduation, he continued his career with Beasley Construction and in a short four-year period, he became the Secretary and Treasurer of the company.  He worked with Beasley Construction until 1965 at which point he was recruited by Bristol Steel in Bristol, VA to serve as senior VP of Bristol Erection, a constructor of significant steel bridges and industrial plants. From there, Brock took the position of President of Kelley Steel Erectors, a Cleveland, Ohio based steel construction company. The pinnacle of Brock’s career began in 1986 when he was recruited to serve as president of American Bridge Company in Pittsburgh, PA, the nation’s oldest and largest steel construction company, at that time a division of United States Steel Corporation. In 1987, Brock engineered and lead a management buyout of American Bridge taking the company to private ownership. Just two years later in 1989, Brock sold the business to an international engineering firm based in Taiwan. 

Throughout his career, Brock was often recognized as a skilled leader in the industry, having served as a board member of the National Erectors Association. He was also active in the American Institute of Steel Construction. In 1990, Brock retired from American Bridge but continued as a board member and advisor for years to follow. 

During his years of retirement on Hilton Head, Brock became an avid golfer and tennis player.  He supported many local charitable organizations including The Boys and Girls Club and the Performing Arts Center of Hilton Head. As a father, Brock instilled in his children the importance and value of a good education. 

Brock was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen H. Rowley after nearly 20 years of marriage. He was a devoted husband to her as she battled a long-term illness.  After Kathleen’s death, Brock married longtime family friend, Elizabeth James.  The two shared many years together, traveling with friends and spending summers in Linville Ridge, North Carolina.  Brock was a loving and devoted husband to Elizabeth who passed away peacefully August 26, 2024. 

Brock is survived by his brother, Robin Rowley (Marcia) of Richmond, TX; his children, Allison Ann Rowley of Plano, TX, Brock Colson Rowley Jr. (Amanda) of Frisco, TX, Aaron Rowley (Meg) of Mount Pleasant, SC; stepson Kevin Smith (Kelley) of Hickory, NC and by his 7 grandchildren. 

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Josephine Moore for her dedication and kindness over the past 30 years.  We are also grateful for the kind and compassionate care Brock received from Lisa and Latoya of Agape Hospice. 

The service will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.