As part of the United States Army's 802nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, he participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, landing on Utah Beach on June 9, 1944. Two days later, he was wounded.
Today he still carries two souvenirs from that experience -- German shrapnel in his back and a Purple Heart. More than 60 years later, he remains an active volunteer fireman in the Mount Sinai Fire Department 41 years after joining and is still receiving accolades and awards.
At its Dec. 1 work session, the Brookhaven Town Board presented Mr. Rowehl with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the supervisor and board members honoring his years of service as the captain of Company 4, the fire police.
At a Nov. 28 surprise birthday party at the firehouse, he was presented with a plaque that read: "In grateful appreciation of your lifetime of service and sacrifice to the Mount Sinai Fire Department, the community and all you have touched."
As he sat at his kitchen table looking at the awards, Mr. Rowehl said, "I achieved what I was hoping to do and I'm happy I made 40 [years]. I hope I make another 20."
A few days before the surprise party, Fire Chief Charles Payne called Mr. Rowehl to invite him to a Nov. 28 officers meeting at the firehouse. When Mr. Rowehl arrived, he and Mr. Payne headed upstairs.
"I should have known better," Mr. Rowehl said. "The door was shut."
Behind it were 70 friends and family set to celebrate. After recovering from the surprise, Mr. Rowehl turned to Mr. Payne.
"Thanks, Chief," he said. "You lied to me."
Fire department members took Mr. Rowehl out for another birthday celebration on Monday, the day before his 90th birthday.
Before joining the Mount Sinai Fire Department in 1968, he was a member of the Hicksville Fire Department for 18 years. In his first year as a firefighter there, he attended Yaphank Training Center. It was there, in drills, that he did the majority of his firefighting. Most of the rest of his nearly 60 years as a fireman has been spent as a member of the fire police, whose main responsibility is blocking roads and directing traffic away from the scene of a fire.
He said one thing has stayed the same during his years of fire service: his enjoyment of his role, as well as the camaraderie.
Mr. Rowehl said he has veteran advice for the volunteers of local fire departments.
"Don't rush into anything," he said. "Stay calm and cool."
jwilliams@northshoresun.com