died on Sunday May 19, 2019 at a local hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Edward Leon Rowan and Mattie Lee Ott Rowan of Selma and his older brother, Edward Leon
“Lee” Rowan. Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Martha Ann Rowan of Mobile, and
three sons, Hill (Courtney) Rowan of Tuscaloosa, Edward (Melanie) Rowan of Mobile, and
Richard (Brea) Rowan of Birmingham, and seven grandchildren Hill, Tommy, Kate, Harris,
Bennett, Peyton, and Adeline.
Richard loved people and was known by his trademark smile and outgoing friendliness. A
banker for fifteen years, Richard worked at the Federal Home Loan Bank in Greensboro, NC
and American National Bank in Mobile, before leaving to begin his career in real estate. He
worked for White-Spunner & Associates and then started his own company, Rowan Realty and
Development Company. Throughout his career, Richard developed many subdivisions
throughout Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Richard was devoted to his faith and a long term
active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where he taught Sunday School, served on the
church Vestry, and became a Stephens Minister. He was Chairman of the Board of St. Paul’s
Episcopal School, President of the Mobile Chapter of the American Cancer Society, an active
member of the Board of Directors of the Mobile County Home Builders Association, and
President of the Mobile Chapter of the University of Alabama Alumni Association. Richard was a
dedicated supporter of the University of Alabama and devoted fan of its athletic programs,
particularly to Crimson Tide football. An avid hunter, fisherman, and accomplished cook, Richard
loved the outdoors, sharing his culinary skills, and spending time at the hunting camp in
Myrtlewood, AL known as “Buckeye Hunting Lodge.”
A private internment will be held on Thursday, May 23 followed by a visitation at 12:00 pm at the
Parish Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and a Celebration of Life Service in the sanctuary at
1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church or your favorite charity.
