Richard Randall Rowan

Richard Randall Rowan, 65, of Olathe, passed away on October 16, 2021, at Brookdale of Overland Park.

He was born on July 14, 1956, to Ronald and Neva (Holland) Rowan in Cumberland, Maryland.

He graduated in 1974 from high school in Middlesex, New Jersey. He Joined the Army in 1975 and was stationed in Korea repairing Chinook helicopters. Following the service, he used the GI Bill to start college at a satellite campus of Penn State University. Later he transferred to the main campus at State College, Pennsylvania, and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1985. He took a job at Mack Truck in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In the earlier '90s, he took a job with Midland Brake in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1995, Rich took a job for International Truck & Engine (later Navistar) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He met Patricia Ross Smith in 1995 while still in Kansas City. They were married June 8, 2004, and lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, until 2011 when Navistar moved the Engineering group to the Chicago area.

In 2014, Rich was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM) brain cancer. In 2016 Rich and Pat moved back to Olathe.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Patricia. Sister, Rona (Ed) Pavlo, nephew, Matthew (Stephanie), Grayson and Carter Pavlo. Stepchildren/Grandchildren Abbie (Clay), Tristan, Georgia, and Dalton Perina and Rickie (Annie Meyer) Smith, Jonah Debert, Ella Meyer, and Ivy Smith. Many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

He is preceded in death by his Mother, Neva Rowan and Father, Ronald Rowan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Be Head Strong, a Foundation for brain tumor patients and caregivers in the greater Kansas City Community. www.beheadstrong.org.

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