Ralph Lawrence Rowland

Mr. Ralph Lawrence Rowland, a man of strong faith and a wonderful, loving husband and father, passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2004. His childhood and teen-age years were in his birthplace, the village of Houston, Minn., which was where he developed many of the characteristics that made him so special. He attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minn., and graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota. He completed graduate and doctoral studies in chemistry at the University of Illinois, after which he did postdoctoral studies at the University of California in Los Angeles and Northwestern University. His professional career included teaching at St. Thomas College, work with Lakeside Industries in Milwaukee, Wis., and a distinguished career as a senior chemist with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., where he was recruited in the 1950s along with some of the brightest chemists in the nation. His work at R.J. Reynolds led to hundreds of patents in his and co-workers' names. In his wonderful retirement years, out at "the farm," he grew a variety of fruit trees and vegetables that were shared with and enjoyed by friends and family. He was a longtime faithful volunteer at Forsyth Medical Center and more recently at the Samaritan Ministries soup kitchen. He contributed to numerous missions and schools in support of children and native Americans. Ralph's strongest contributions were as a wonderful husband and father. Margaret and Ralph were married 52 years until her death in 2000. Their shared faith, love, support and mutual commitment led to a wonderful family life for their three children and two grandchildren and for Ralph and Margaret to fully develop their talents and to help others. They enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and overseas. Ralph's life blessed, and was blessed by, the wonderful colleagues with whom he worked at R.J. Reynolds, who remained his friends for life. He was a member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church and also attended Holy Family Catholic Church for weekday Mass. He was known at both as a faithful and humble servant of God. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Sylvester M. and Elsie Kempter Rowland and his brother, Stanley P. Rowland. He is survived by his children, Teresa Jean Rowland, Karen Elizabeth Rowland and Mark Colvin and Richard Lawrence Rowland and wife Janet; his grandchildren, Charles Kempter Rowland and Amy Michelle Rowland; a sister, Mary Rowland Runge and husband Wally; and nieces and nephews including the loving Elizabeth Garcia. Our dad was always so kind, caring, loving, gentle and humble. He was intelligent and fascinating in his interests. He never had a harsh word. He was always there for us and he was understanding. Dad, we are so grateful for you - you and Mom will always be a part of us. The family requests that memorials be made to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27104; or to Covenant House, Times Square Station, P.O. Box 731, New York, NY 10108-0731. A funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church by Father Thomas Kessler and Deacon Joseph Schumacher. Burial will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today, April 2, at Voglers & Sons Reynolda Road Chapel.