Robert W. Rowe was born on May 16, 1907 in Sheridan, the son of Robert J. Rowe and Cora M. Walling Rowe. He had two sisters Lois Bernice and Eloise Evon, and one brother Wesley. Robert married Anna Christine in 1940. He retired to South Carolina and later Port Charlotte, Florida.

In 1972, Robert was asked to be the Grand Marshall during the Sheridan Centennial celebration because his great-grandfather was one of the founders of Sheridan. Robert felt close to the town because of his family ties, he was born, raised and attended school here.

During his visit in 1972, Robert expressed his initial concept of seeing a library in Sheridan. In 1976 a site was selected for future construction. In 1988 Robert decided he would like to see his dream realized during his lifetime. A steering committee was formed, and those members spent countless hours making the vision a reality. The library district was formed in 1990.

Robert was a versatile individual. During his lifetime he was an industrial engineer, designer, inventor and artist. He loved to travel and took a motorcycle trip to Alaska to see the gold fields on the Klondike and Yukon River. He took a Dutch freighter through the coral reefs of Bermuda. He went panning for gold in the Cascade Mountains of Washington and then hopped a freight train to Los Angeles to meet his brother.

At the age of 87, Robert flew up for the grand opening of the library on May 1, 1994. He was here to cut the ribbon and open the doors of the library that bears his name. He had a wonderful time that day talking with people, especially the children that had sent him so many wonderful cards and letters. Robert flew back to Florida and promised to return to Sheridan soon, but a fall put him in the hospital and he passed away on November 2, 1994.