Kim Leslie Rowland, 78, of Albuquerque, NM died on August 1, 2026, after a long battle with COPD and emphysema.

Kim was born in Rapid City, SD, on July 9, 1948, to John Henry “Jack” Rowland and Eileen Barnhart Rowland. He was the second of five children in a military family, traveling around for his younger life. He shared many stories of his childhood around Hawaii and Colorado. Kim was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having joined the military as an Army Ranger and served two tours in Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam, he married Jeri Martinov, and along with her daughter Kimberly, the three of them moved from Indiana to start a life together in New Mexico.

He was a self-taught electrical engineer and could often be found hunched over motherboards on tables and tackling large projects in New Mexico and Massachusetts before he retired. In retirement, Kim enjoyed cooking for his family, building reading, and debating online with the Northeast Shooters Club. He will be remembered for many stories, his cooking, his handlebar mustache, his good Stetson, his Purple Heart bolo tie, and the joy in his face when he told stories about his children and grandchildren.

Kim is survived by his former wife and dear friend Jeri Martinov; children Laura Harrison, William Rowland, and Frances Rowland; grandchildren Henry and Hollis Rowland.

Kim is preceded in death by his father and mother, and his brother John Rowland.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes you to consider sending them stories of how Kim will live on in your memories.

The family of Kim Rowland would like to thank all of our family and friends that have taken the time to provide support during our time of sorrow.