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David Rowe 1925-2021

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Posted on Wednesday 27 January 2021

David Rowe, a pioneer of Management and Industry teaching in the Department of Chemistry, passed away on 22 January 2021 aged 95. He is remembered here by Professor Robin Perutz and Dr Tom Halstead.

We recently received the sad news of the death of David Rowe. Together with John Macintyre, David Rowe started the "Chemistry, Management and Industry" option in our degree (so-called Course 2) in 1972/3.

David continued in the Department until his retirement in 1990 or thereabouts. These courses were highly innovative, very popular, and have influenced the shape of our degree until the present day.

David Rowe leading the annual Course 3 field trip from
Saltwick Nab to Whitby. (Photo credit: Tom Halstead)

David was a keen amateur geologist and one-time treasurer of the Yorkshire Geological Society. Not surprisingly, he also taught on the "Chemistry, Resources and the Environment" (Course 3) option.

He was a very active tutor for Vanbrugh College students. His outdoor activities include geology, walking and endurance fell running. David leaves two children, Max and Wanda. His wife Lily, who worked in the University Library, died in 2012.