Dr. John D. Rowlett

RICHMOND - Dr. John D. Rowlett, 76, Vice President Emeritus for Academic Affairs and Research, and Dean of the Faculties, Eastern Kentucky University, died Sun., April 4, 2004. A native of Denton, TX, he was the son of late Lon and Minnie Rowlett. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Lon, Curtis and Wallace. An Eagle Scout with bronze, gold and silver palms, he volunteered as a teen-ager for the military service and served as a seaman aboard ships in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, returned to civilian life, still a teen-ager and with the assistance of the G.I. Bill of Rights, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Texas State College. He taught at North Texas State for two years then, at 23, joined Eastern's faculty in 1951 and served for 42 years in a variety of roles including Professor, Dean and Vice President. For 21 years until his retirement in 1993, he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, and Dean of the Faculties. When Eastern was reorganized into schools, he was appointed July 1, 1965 as Dean of the School of Technology. During 1965-66, the Foundation Programs were developed for what are now the College of Allied Health and Nursing (Health Sciences), College of Justice and Safety and the Department of Criminal Justice Training. An active scholar with numerous publications, he also served on many state, regional and national bodies including the Commission on Colleges and President Carter's National Advisory Council on Vocational Education. On more than a dozen occasions he presented testimony before committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The Board of Regents named in his honor the building housing the nursing and allied health programs. At the May, 1993 commencement, Eastern awarded him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois. He served as a deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Richmond Rotary Club for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Anne; four children, Mrs. Charles (Debra) King, Stearns, Kentucky, Mrs. Allen (Janet) Robison, Powder Springs, GA, Dr. John D. Rowlett (Sharon) Savannah, GA, and Mrs. Jeff (Virginia) Fairchild, Lexington; twelve grandchildren, Lindsay, Richard, Russell and Robert King; Daniel and Thomas Robison; Paige Rowlett; Carson and Olivia Villa; Chase, Emily and Riley Fairchild. In addition he is survived by a brother, J. C. Rowlett, Denton, TX. Funeral services will be conducted at the First Presbyterian Church on Wed., April 7, 2004 at 3 pm with Dr. William Young and Reverend Bill Bailey officiating. Burial will be at the Richmond Cemetery. Visitation will be at Oldham, Roberts and Powell Funeral Home on Tues., from 3-5 pm and 6-8 pm. Remembrances to the Dr. John D. Rowlett endowed scholarship fund at the EKU Foundation (contact Joseph Foster (859) 622 5036). Guestbook at Legacy.com