Craig Rowan

September 24, 1923 - May 17, 2024

Boise, Idaho - Craig Rowan, 100, was born September 24, 1923, in New York City and died May 17, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. Craig graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont and from the Veterinary School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Following graduation, he started his mixed animal veterinary practice in Weiser, Idaho. He retired from that practice in Weiser after 55 years to provide veterinary services for Simplot Company's cattle business until he was 95. Craig was passionate about his work. He received several awards from both Idaho and nationally for outstanding medical innovations and achievements in his field.

Craig married his wonderful wife, Tensie (Hortense) Ford, a veterinary graduate from Cornell University (New York) in Weiser, Idaho on July 19, 1953. They practiced together for nine years until their growing family of six children, including one daughter (Peggy) who suffered severe brain damage immediately following her birth, dictated that it was more important for her to be a full-time homemaker.

Above all, Craig was devoted to his family. He and Tensie took multiple and very memorable cross-country driving trips with their young family visiting all of the states, except Hawaii. Craig enjoyed spending time with his family at Tensie's family's rustic log cabin on Payette Lake in McCall where the kids learned to water ski and explore nature. At one point, Craig decided it would be a great idea to introduce the family to snow skiing. As a result, the entire family started ski lessons on the same day. To help facilitate the family skiing adventure, Craig was involved with launching and building the ski lift at Hitt Mountain near Cambridge. When the family outgrew that mountain, the family made many trips to Brundage Mountain in McCall and Sun Valley.

At their small ranch in Weiser, Craig and his family raised beef cattle, milk cows, sheep, hogs, and chickens, and various other animals both common and uncommon. Craig and Tensie loved animals and believed caring for the animals instilled in their kids a strong work ethic and important lessons in responsibility. Caring for the animals also give the kids an opportunity to participate in 4-H programs with their animals. The family enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, and riding and racing dirt bikes on the property and around the Pacific Northwest.

Craig lived a full and rewarding life. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Tensie, youngest son Bruce, and brother Roy Rowan and Helen Rowan of Greenwich, Connecticut.

He is survived by his five other children Ron (Ann) Rowan of Baker City, OR; Barry (Linda) Rowan of Steamboat Springs, CO; Paul (Becky) Rowan of Boise, ID; Ann (Rob) Whyte of Paradise Valley, AZ; and Margaret (Peggy) Rowan of Meridian, ID; and eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held for the family at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weiser, ID. Arrangements under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho Statesman on May 22, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Craig Rowan

Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.

10 Entries

Mary Ellen Gross, wife of Larry Gross and baBy setter for Gem. Love Mary

February 12, 2025

Hi. This is Mary Ellen Gross, wife of Larry Gross w ho work with you and keep your dog when you where somewhere on business. Sorry for you loss. I have thought of you both a lot of times and I do have a little dog now and so much love and company just like Gem was. I know how your loss is and so glad your family was so special for us and name our oldest boy after Craig. Keep your sperits up with the help from above. Love Mary Ellen Gross

Nancy Renner

August 28, 2024

I´ve known many wonderful people during my life, and I´d place Craig and Tensie Rowan at the top of the list. They brought such joy to those around them. I am blessed to have known their friendship and love. Thank you, dear friends. You made my life more meaningful. And I love you dearly.

Mike McHugh

June 5, 2024

One of a kind.

Don & Helen Withers

June 1, 2024

Our Gentle Giant will be missed by all who loved & knew Craig, our thoughts & prayers are with all of his family

Margot Lynn

May 25, 2024

Craig was our cattle and everything else vet...for very many years and for those who don´t know, Dr. Rowan was the
"Pioneer of embryo transplanting", in the United States. He did all of Carnation Farms in the beginning years of E.T. Days upon the encouraging push from Tensie
Tensie would always cook us lunch when we´d come
From Parma with cattle in need of doctoring. He was a good friend and will be sorrowfully missed within the cattle industry and more. Memories of our Denver Days, embryo transplant help at the ranch, his ranch and hilarious incidents. Not to mention
Production Sales will always be
there forever.
Sending much love With Prayers for endurance for all family members. Your mother Tensie and Father Craig will always be fondly remembered.
My kittens "Milo and baby Otis"
Are patient occasionally even
today at Weiser Vet. Clinic.

Affectionately,
Margot

Margot Warren-Lynn

Lynn´s Polled Hereford Ranch

Rick and Bobbi Navarro

Planted Trees

Mark Pritchard

May 23, 2024

Craig was a mentor to many young Veterinarians including myself. I was his partner for many years until he went to work for Simplot. He will be missed.

Jeff Hironaka

May 23, 2024

Your Dad was the best. He meant so much to the Weiser community not only as a vet but just with everything that went on in the area. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to all of the family.

Dr. Dick Fredrickson

May 22, 2024

Dr. Rowan was a legend in veterinary practice. His work was outstanding

Shannon DeHaas

May 21, 2024

Prayers to you and your family my heart goes out to all of you thoughts and prayers

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results