Rockne G. Flowers April 6, 1931 - May 19, 2024

Beaufort, South Carolina - Rockne G. Flowers of Madison, Wisconsin and Beaufort, South Carolina died Sunday, May 19, 2024 at his home in Beaufort in the comfort of family.

He was born on April 6, 1931 in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, the son of Fairbern and Elizabeth Amos Flowers. He graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 1948. He was president of his freshman and sophomore classes and treasurer of his senior class. He lettered in basketball and track where he set the school record for the 100-yard dash. The record still holds because, right after it was set, high schools started measuring races in meters instead of yards. He earned a BBA in accounting and an MBA in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Rockne married JoAnne Mayersak of Superior, Wisconsin on January 3, 1953. They raised five children and had fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

After two years of service with the Army Finance Corp, he became a CPA (Wisconsin #2000) and a partner in a Madison firm. In 1969, he co-founded the CPA firm of White, Flowers, Reinholtz & Pfefferkorn. On December 1, 1972, he became president and CEO of Nelson Industries, Stoughton, Wisconsin. He held this position until the company was sold to Cummins Engine Company in January 1998.

Throughout his life, Rockne served as chairman of the Greater Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, and the Wisconsin Judicial Commission. He served as president of Meriter Hospital, the Wisconsin History Foundation, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Business School Board of Visitors. He had been a member of the board of directors of United Way of Dane County, Edgewood College, Madison Community Foundation, Saris Cycling Group, M&I Bank of Southern Wisconsin, Alliant Energy Corporation, American Family Insurance Companies, Integrity Mutual Insurance Company, Epic Systems Corporation, and Universal Acoustic and Emission Technology.

At the time of his death, Rockne served on the board of directors of Janesville Sand & Gravel Co. and University Research Park. He was as a member of the Rotary Clubs of Madison and Beaufort, Ye Olde Warre Clubbe, and the Beaufort 911 Group. He was also a member of the board of trustees of the Edwin E. & Janet L. Bryant Foundation, Inc., Stoughton, Wisconsin.

Aside from his professional accomplishments, his greatest moments were spent with his family and many friends. He was loved by everyone his life touched. He will be remembered for his humility, generosity, and humor. So many memories around Wisconsin, Beaufort, grits, golf, and cribbage. He had the brightest baby blues that sprinkled with mischievousness and the best Beaufort hugs. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife JoAnne, his son George (Paula) in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, his son Chris (Loida) in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, his daughter Veronica (Babe and Henri) in Beaufort, South Carolina, and his daughter Roxanne (Allison) in Bloomington, Indiana. He is also survived by his fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his son Rockne.

Thank you to his wonderful caregivers—Minnie, Yvonne, Margaretha, Evelyn, and Sherill—who helped look after Rockne for the last year and a half of his life.

Services will be held at Carteret Street United Methodist Church at 408 Carteret Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, 29902 on Friday, May 24, 2024. A viewing will be held from 2-3pm before the funeral from 3-4pm.

Memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Historical Foundation, the Madison or Beaufort Rotary Foundations, Edgewood College, or the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

Anderson Funeral Home is serving the family.