The youngest of three children of Robert Livingston Rowan of Bryan, Texas, and Marjorie Carshaw Rowan of Brooklyn, New York, Robert was born in Nutley, New Jersey, on the 8th of February 1928. The family moved often from Nutley to Baltimore to Merion, Pennsylvania, before settling in Falls Church, Virginia during World War II. After the war, the family moved to Houston. While living in Virginia, Robert attended The Western High School, where he was in the class of 1945. Robert then attended The University of Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering in 1948. Bob was a member of Theta Tau and the Theta Delta Chi fraternity.
After college, Bob went to work for the Rowan Drilling Company, and then returned to Houston to work alongside his father at Robt. L. Rowan & Assoc. Bob, with his father, developed the use of epoxy grouts for the rotating equipment industry, a technique that remains a standard for industrial foundations. Bob had several patents, including his own private label grout. He was globally known for his knowledge of industrial foundations, and travelled the world from the Middle East to South America as a consultant. Engineers, both young and old, would call him to get advice and a “no bull” answer to their problems. Some would listen, and some would not, the latter usually having to call back to tell Bob that he was right. Bob was a member of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society for Testing and Materials, The American Concrete Institute, the International Concrete Repair Institute, and the American Petroleum Institute. Even at the age of 93, Bob was still receiving and returning phone calls and emails requesting advice on projects. The foundations industry will miss his wisdom.
Robert was an active member of the Houston Country Club and eagerly attended almost every breakfast meeting of the Tuesday Morning Executives Association of Houston. He was a longtime member of St. John the Divine Church, where he served on the Vestry and currently was enjoying his Life Group.
Bob was a sportsman; there was hardly a sport that Bob did not enjoy enthusiastically. He spent many weekends on the quail and dove lease with his dear friends; he loved to fish both saltwater and freshwater. His tennis spin skills were lethal, and he was always game for a round of golf. He still played golf at 93, and even a little tennis, but he only moved as far as his shadow. Bob also loved any and all gadgets including his cell phone. Ever the engineer, he could fix almost anything.
Bob married Lillian Worthington Crittenden on the 1st of August 1959, and they enjoyed 61 wonderful years together. They travelled the world together on many adventures, whether it was a trip to Mexico for sun and tennis with old friends or cruises on every ocean. They truly had an incredible partnership together.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lillian, his sisters and brothers-in-laws, Cynthia Rowan Taylor, Hardwood Taylor, Julie Rowan Murray, and John A. Murray.
He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Rowan Duncan, together with her husband, Charles William Duncan, III, of Houston and their children, Sarah Worthington Duncan of Los Angeles and Leslie Anne “Annie” Duncan of Houston. He also leaves his son, Charles Louis Rowan of Houston. Bob is also survived by his nieces, Antoinette “Nanette” Harwood Taylor and Dabney Elizabeth “Elyse” Taylor of San Miguel de Allende, Cynthia Lee Taylor of Houston, and his nephews John A. Murray, III and wife, Mai, of Lubbock, and Dean Rowan Murray, his wife Susan, and their children, Emily and Andrew of Austin.
The family would especially like to thank Doris Montoya for her lifelong care of, and devotion to, the Rowans.
A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 24th of May, at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston. Guests may also view the service virtually via a livestream to be hosted at https://sjd.org/rowan.
The inurnment will immediately follow the service in the Garden of Resurrection, also at The Church of St. John the Divine. Following the inurnment, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in Sumners Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Christian Community Service Center, 3230 Mercer St., Houston, TX 77027 (ccschouston.org); or to the charity of one’s choice.
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