Raymond Francis Rowan

Raymond Francis Rowan, age 96, passed away November 4, 2015 in Seattle, Washington after battling many cancers over 40 years. Ever the gentleman, Ray had a compassionate and positive view of humanity. He generously contributed to many charities and was a role model for his family, sharing his good-humored spirit with a twinkle in his eye.

Ray was born October 16, 1919, to Raymond C. and Ann Rowan at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia, the oldest of 7 children. His parents were his heroes, living true to their Catholic faith. He attended parochial schools and at the age of 17, left home for the University of Notre Dame where he studied civil engineering and (very) briefly played football.

Ray served in the US Marine Corps and embodied the motto, Semper Fi, in his faithfulness and truthfulness. While stationed in Quantico, Virginia, he fell for Serrita Jane Potter, to whom he was married for 53 years. After the war, Ray and Serrita moved to Chicago and lived for a time with their extended family, the Schulhofs, Janes, and Potters, in an “All in the Family” situation, and Ray honed his debating skills at lively Sunday dinners.

Ray’s career with the Austin Company began in Chicago in 1945 under Milt Leek. In 1961, he moved the family to Seattle and became a manager supervising the building of the Boeing 747 factory in Everett, Washington – still the largest building in the world today. His job took him around the world, to Europe, South America, and the Middle East, and in 1978 Ray was promoted to VP of Construction and Purchases in the NW District.

The Rowan family lived in Laurelhurst for 53 years, enjoying sunsets from the deck, the Beach Club, and much-loved pets, Girl and Desdemona. At age 68, Ray took up tennis which he played for the next 20 years, competing in tournaments with his doubles partner, daughter Kathy. Ray took terrific care of Serrita during many years of her illness

until she passed away in 1998. He was blessed to be happily married to Irene Peterson for the last 10 years of his life, enjoying travel, new friendships at Merrill Gardens, and daily martinis.

While Ray had the organizational skills of an executive, he had the loving, creative heart of a poet. Starting at age 4, he wowed family and friends with perfect recitations of poems with emotion at Sunday dinners, and 90 years later, he was still reciting from memory at the Merrill Gardens monthly men’s breakfasts

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty DuBois (Ronald). He is survived by his siblings Marjorie Ridenour (Bob), Mary Dressman (Al), Edward Rowan (Madeline), Thomas Rowan, and Ann Marie Sylvester (Bob); his children Raymond C. Rowan, Kathy Wilson (Chic), and John Rowan (Lydia) of Seattle; Betsy Davies (Bruce)

of Stockton, California; grandchildren Matthew, Ashley, Bridget, Charlie, Gleb, Klim, and great-grandchildren Rowan, Rebecca, Alexa, and Rex.

Ray’s passing marks the end of an era for his family. He will be cheering the Notre Dame football team from above now. Go Irish!

Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, November 10th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Seattle. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to wvkidscc.org.