John Thomas Rohowits

June 16, 1936 – December 2, 2025

John “Skip” Rohowits was born in Seattle, Washington on June 16, 1936. During the early days of World War II, his father received a commission with the United States Navy, which resulted in frequent moves for the family. The family relocated from Seattle to Alameda, California where his father was stationed. This is when his roots and love for the Bay Area were born. His beloved Aunt Lulu lived across the bay in San Francisco, and he regularly took the ferry to visit her. John later credited Aunt Lulu for inspiring his love for culture and learning.

As a Navy family they followed his father’s duty assignment. During his youth they moved from Alameda to Isle of Palms, SC, and finally settled in San Diego, California, where he spent the remainder of his youth, eventually attending Point Loma High School.

John made his career with Pacific Telephone, the west coast AT&T affiliate. Through hard work and determination, he quickly moved up the ladder from coin collector to management, eventually at the corporate level. As his career grew, he moved his young family to Los Angeles. John was civic minded and adventure-seeking. In Los Angeles, he found an outlet for both. He was elected to the local School Board in the district his sons attended and volunteered for the local Search and Rescue team.

Eventually he found his way back to the Bay area and settled once again in Alameda. He retired at the age of forty-nine and swore from that day forward he would never wear a suit and tie. He lived life on his terms, learning new things daily by dabbling in a wide variety of interests including acting in the local theater, sailing, diesel mechanics, and chicken farming. His passion, however, was for all things motorcycles. He toured the country and the world on two wheels, soaking up the sights, the culture, and anyone he could talk to along the way. If you knew John, you know there was never a stranger with whom he could not find a common interest. Through his passion for knowledge and adventure he obtained the perfect education tailored to his interests, which were vast.

He found family in his beloved motorcycle club, the Oakland Motorcycle Club (OMC) where he was a member for more than 25 years. When it comes to motorcycle clubs, they are one of the oldest and best, showing unwavering camaraderie, adventure, and friendship through the remainder of his life.

John is preceded in death by his sister, Susan “Susie” Omahen, and his life-long friend and “brother,” Phil McCauley. He leaves behind his three children, David (Diane), Brian (Roxana), and Jennifer (Justin), his first wife Aldean Carroll, and grandchildren: Sarah, Joe, Liz, Becky (his beloved caregiver), Rachel, Francisco “Franky,” Brianna, Zoe, and Maya.

His family will remember him with love, affection, and gratitude. He instilled in each of us a love of music, an endless desire for knowledge, and exceptional character. His friends will remember him for his strong character, his humor, and a love of adventure.