John Meredith Rowland

+ Enlarge

John Meredith Rowland

June 26, 1934 ~ Aug. 8, 2017

A true Renaissance man with wry good humor, John shone as a leading man on stage and in supporting roles near the altar. He was as comfortable in a tuxedo as he was in a T-shirt … or skinny-dipping at a remote lake.

Born in Independence, Iowa, he served two tours in the United States Army (1953-58), and spent his career at Union Pacific Railroad. Quietly brilliant and joyfully athletic, he shared his talents as a born teacher and problem solver in everything from electronics to wind-tunnel testing for the 1992 America’s Cup; classical music to model airplane design and flight; as well as tennis, sailing, skiing, skating, swimming and hiking. Wherever John was, there was a song, and he shared his rich tenor voice over decades in theaters (Cheyenne, Salt Lake and Sundance), with the Utah Symphony Chorus, and in several Catholic parishes, including St. Thomas More.

John also had a talent for happiness, whether alone at his workbench or waking up in a tent, camping with his beloved wife of 58 years, Dee Franzen Rowland. He was the proud and empowering father of five daughters, Audrey (Tim Graham), Amy (Brian Hutchinson), Angie (Rob Rice), Allison, Amber (Hawk Mendenhall). He took great delight, too, in his five grandchildren (Hannah Luna, Tess Graham, Griffin Rowland-Hutchinson, Maddie Rice, Owain Rice), four step-grandchildren (Casey, Murphy, Callie and Fox Mendenhall), and one great-granddaughter (Malinalli Luna).

John is survived by his sisters and brothers, Jean Eck, Bill, Rita Kellerr and Ben. He was preceded in death by sister Diane Brimmer and brother Joseph.

  A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 13 at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com.

 The family appreciates the skilled staff at the Salt Lake City VA Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the Refugee Resettlement Program of Catholic Community Services, or HEAL Utah.