Preston T. Rowe

Preston T. Rowe, 17, of Ruscombmanor Twp, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

Born August 26, 1999 in West Reading, he was the son of Wendy E. (Zimmerman) and David T. Rowe.

Preston was a junior at Oley Valley High School where he was very active in sports. He was a member of the Oley Valley High School Baseball and Soccer Teams.

Preston, wearing #8, played right field as well as shortstop for the baseball team and earned his varsity letter. He was a member of the Oley Valley High School 2016 District 3-AA Baseball Championship Team. Preston also joined his teammates this spring at Disney's Wide World of Sports for spring training.

Baseball had a significant impact on Preston. He wrote that "Baseball is significant to me because it teaches you life lessons and how to become a better leader."

Known by many nicknames, such as "G", "The Closer", "P", "P Rowe" and more, he was active with many traveling and legion baseball teams and played many positions, including pitcher. He played with the Montco Curve, the Walk Off Legacy during fall ball, the West Lawn Owls and the Oley/Topton Junior League team. He was signed up to play for the Blue Rocks traveling baseball team this summer and aspired to attend and play baseball for East Carolina University. In his younger years, Preston played baseball for Liberty Youth Baseball and the Spring Township Athletic Association. Preston felt it was important to give back and was volunteering with Liberty Youth Baseball and the Oley Valley Youth League as well as at many community dinners in the Oley Valley.

Preston also played varsity soccer, earning his varsity letter, for Oley Valley High School. He played for years with the FC Reading Revolution Soccer Club and enjoyed attending the Philadelphia Union games. He was a huge Mississippi State fan and also loved Penn State sports.

Preston was a member of the Oley Valley High School FBLA Club and after high school, aspired to get his Bachelor's Degree and Doctoral Degree in Sports Medicine. He enjoyed doing group projects at school and especially his research papers that he felt reflected his gift for words. Preston loved fishing and traveling with his family and friends. He spent many summers as a child in Ocean City, NJ, Lewes, DE and the Outer Banks, NC. Most recently he traveled to Cozumel, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and Salem, MA. He was often invited to accompany various friends on their summer family vacations.

Preston had a heart of gold. He was funny, athletic, reliable and above all else, a great listener for his many friends. He loved his community and his baseball, soccer and school families. Most of all, Preston loved his family. He stated, "One of the most significant activities I enjoy is hanging with my family, because I only get one Mother and Father in my life".

In addition to his Mom and Dad, Preston is survived by his brother, Payton M. Rowe, at home, his maternal grandparents, Margaret M.E. (Heckman) and Ira F. "Bud" Zimmerman, Fleetwood, his paternal grandparents, Virginia A. (Kessler) and Orvis C. "Chuck" Rowe, Temple and his Great Great Aunt, Merle Foose, Wyomissing. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Aunt Charlene and Uncle Barry, Aunt Melanie and Uncle Craig, Aunt Holly and Uncle Tim, Aunt Denise and Uncle Kevin, Aunt Kim and Uncle Ed and Aunt Karen and Uncle Jamie, and by his many cousins and great aunts and great uncles who loved him dearly.

Funeral Services for Preston will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 11:00 am at Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, 14390 Kutztown Rd, Fleetwood, with Rev. Patrick W. Morris, officiating. Burial will follow in Berks County Memorial Gardens, Maidencreek Twp. Visitations will be held on Friday, June 2, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and again on Saturday, June 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the funeral home.

Contributions in Preston's memory will be accepted at the funeral home during the time of his services and will be donated to a fund being set up in Preston's name to support the Oley Valley Youth Baseball League.

Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for Preston and his family at this difficult time. Online condolences may be offered to Preston's family at WalbertFuneralHome.com.