John Clark Rowlands

John Clark Rowlands, age 84, passed away peacefully with his wife, Carol, by his side on February 4, 2026, at Brewster Village. He battled Parkinson’s for nearly two decades and demonstrated incredible strength and resilience. He was born on September 5, 1941, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, the son of Ralph and Alice (Fellenz) Rowlands. John was a Wisconsinite through and through, as evidenced by his unwavering loyalty to the Badgers and Packers. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1964 with a degree in chemical engineering and attended night school to obtain an MBA from NYU. He married the love of his life, Carol (Mischke) Rowlands, in 1961. Both attended Appleton High School and shared their first date at Frank & Pat’s Pizza Palace. John’s successful career as a petroleum engineer and oil executive moved him and his family from Chicago to New York, back to Chicago and eventually to California. During this time, he always had one foot in Wisconsin, traveling with his family each summer to vacation and visit his and Carol’s family. Within a year of retirement, he and Carol returned to Wisconsin, the place they always claimed as home.

John prioritized family, friends, faith, and fun throughout his life. He often worked 12 hour days and weekends to ensure his family had the resources they needed but also always found time to watch their activities and even coach their teams. He enjoyed participating in and watching sports, playing football, soccer, basketball, tennis, racquetball, softball, and golf at various times with friends and family. Throughout his life, he visited all 50 states with his wife along with more than 20 foreign countries, making new friends at each stop. He was a faithful congregant and volunteer in many churches, including Waushara Community Church near their Silver Lake house where he and his wife resided for 25 years after retirement. His mother Alice and sister Annie were his role models throughout his life with their faith, optimism and adventurous embrace of all life had to offer. His father Ralph provided the example he followed of working hard and overcoming challenges to provide the family with the best life possible.

John is survived by his wife: Carol; his children: Roree (Jim) Carbaugh, Scott (Lynne) Rowlands, Ryan (Stephanie) Rowlands, and Kari (Michael) Carter; his grandchildren: Tania (Andy) Zulegar, Zachary Vanduyne, Jacob (Leah) Vanduyne, Alyssa (Blake) Davey, Kristin Rowlands, Kai Rowlands, Jaedon Carter, and Heulwen Rowlands; his great grandchildren: Maddox Vanduyne, Jaina Zulegar, and Bennett Davey; and sister: Ruth Ann Rowlands.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Alice Rowlands.

Memorial services will be held at 1pm, February 19, 2026, at Touchmark, 2601 Touchmark Dr, Appleton, WI 54914, with Rev. Allen Spitler officiating. Inurnment will be in Appleton Highland Memorial Park, Appleton, Wisconsin. Donations in his name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation are welcome in lieu of flowers.

The family is grateful for the wonderful care and support he received from the staff at Brewster Village and for the amazing dedication shown by Jenny Nelson during John’s last years. Moments Hospice also provided incredible care during John’s last months.