LEWISTON – Albert Allen Rowbotham, 92, formerly of 81 Whitney St., Auburn, and The Meadows Senior Living Center, Greene, died on Thursday, June 12, surrounded by his family at the Marshwood Rehabilitation Center.

He was born Feb. 23, 1916, in Lewiston, the son of James and Bertha Mercier Rowbotham.

He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1933, and attended Mergenthaler School of Linotype Engineering.

In 1942, he married the love of his life, Emily Ellis. They had been married 58 years when she passed away Dec. 31, 1999. She was a photographer at the Sun Journal.

He served in World War II, as a captain, with the U.S. Third Army, under General Patton, 20th Corps of Engineers, in Europe. He was a combat command engineer and bridge construction officer. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, five campaign ribbons and the invasion arrow.

He worked for several newspapers including the Kennebec Journal and the Portland Press Herald. In 1948, he purchased the Rumford Publishing Co. in Rumford, and published a number of weekly newspapers including the Rumford Falls Times, the Rangeley Record, the Wilton Times, the Westbrook American, the Lisbon Enterprise and the Le Messager (the last French newspaper, in Lewiston). He was involved with starting the radio station WRUM, and was also the owner of the Central Maine Press in Lewiston, where he did book and job printing.

He was a charter member of the Maine Graphic Arts Association and served as vice-president, president, and executive director; a member of Maine Press Association from 1948 through 1976, and served as vice-president and president; a member of New England Weekly Press Association from 1950 through 1976 and served on the executive committee representing Maine for several years.

He was appointed to the Maine State Apprenticeship and Training Council in 1954, and served until the late 1990s, when he was inducted into the Apprenticeship Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.

After selling his businesses and retiring, he worked for several other printers and publishers and finally, really retired on his 80th birthday.

He is a 50-year member of AshIar Lodge of Masons, the 9150 Longley-Dionne VFW Post in Lewiston, and a member of the Lake Thompson Environmental Association.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends on Lake Thompson, as well as gardening, rebuilding stone walls and steps, fishing and cruising on the lake.

He is survived by his six children, son, James and wife, Nancy, and granddaughter Katherine of Portland, son, Terry and wife, Betty, and grandson, Sean of Cary, N.C., daughter, Pamela and husband, Bill Fournier, of Auburn, daughter, Susan of Lewiston, son, Albert Jr. and wife, Lynn, and granddaughter, Lindsey of Minot and daughter, June and fiance, Ron Johnson, of Sebago; his good friend and pen pal, Edna Hamel of Great Falls, Mont.; and nephews, James Eastman of Montana, and Bill Eastman of California.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mildred.

The family would like to thank the friends and staff at The Meadows Senior Living Center, Marshwood Rehabilitation Center, and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for their care and support to Al and his entire family.