John Thomas Rowan

John Rowan of Yorba Linda, CA, formerly of Winona, MN, died suddenly at his home. He was born in Winona, MN, to James F. and Bernardine M. Degnan Rowan. John attended Madison and Cathedral Schools and Cotter High School in Winona. He attended Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, but preferred to return to his hometown and graduated from Winona State College (now University), summa cum laude. He received a Master’s Degree in Analytical Chemistry from Iowa State University. John began his career working for Lockheed in their capacity of Superfund work for the Environmental Protection Agency. He was based in Las Vegas but was usually on the road. After some time with King County and the Municipality of Seattle, he moved to California. Since 2004, he was a Senior Chemist with Element where he was a pioneer in trace metals analysis with a focus on ICPMS applications during the nascent years of the technology.

John is survived by three sisters: Mary (Richard) Harrity of Hudson, MA; Charity (Brian) Floen of Rochester, MN; and Margaret (Mark) Daly, Minnetonka, MN. He is also
survived by four nieces: Bridget Floen and Anne, Ellen, and Megan Daly; three nephews: Matthew (Paige) Floen; and Michael and Daniel Daly; and two great-nieces. He was predeceased by his parents. John’s colleagues say that “More than his expertise, John’s best contributions were his stories and his jokes, with a dry humor that never failed to entertain and inject helpful perspective into any situation. He will be missed by his colleagues for all that he was as a mentor, chemist, and friend.” We all remember him for his dry humor, and for his kindness, generosity, and loyalty.
Funeral arrangements are pending.

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