Peter “Pete” Andrew Rourke

ROURKE

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 11/21/2023 at 10:02:12

Peter “Pete” Andrew Rourke, 62, of Iowa City, Iowa passed away at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics on November 8, 2023, of cancer.

According to Pete’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private graveside service is planned.

Peter Andrew Rourke was born on July 30, 1961, in Iowa City, Iowa to Richard Rourke and Hester Frances Rourke. Even in childhood he was a hard worker and good neighbor. His mother had a great influence on his life, and a neighborhood friend remembers that his own mother referred to Pete as her fourth son.

As a child, Pete got involved with Boy Scouts in Troop 204. He became one of the first Scouts in that struggling troop to earn the Eagle Scout Award. His skills in craftsmanship, scouting, leadership, and encouragement rallied the Troop to first place at A Hawkeye Area Council Camporee. Pete continued his involvement with Boy Scouts as an adult, being the Assistant Scout Master for Troop 204.

After graduating from City High School in Iowa City, Pete received a bachelor’s degree from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri. Upon graduation, Pete returned to Iowa City where he found his life calling using the skills he studied in college.

Pete found a job working concessions for University of Iowa Athletics at Carver Hawkeye Arena and Kinnick Stadium and never looked back. Across the years, as many different vendors took on the task of providing concessions for Hawkeye Athletics, Pete stayed the course and was Kinnick Stadium Concessions Manager with Aramark until shortly before his death. A friend fondly remembers Pete this way, “He started as a Little Hawk and ended as a Big Hawk.”

Pete was a hard worker, a dependable friend, and was known for always building and fixing things. Like the shed he built for a neighbor, the relationships he built with the people he worked with lasted. He may have started as a boss, but many remember that he became a friend. He was a kind man who not only knew how to do things but also how to encourage others to get things done.

Pete will always be remembered by his collection of great friends and coworkers.

Pete was preceded in death by his mother Hester and will be interred with her at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

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