Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
FUNERAL HOME
William Rowan Obituary
Rowan Jr., DDS, William A. "Bee" age 90, of Chicago, died peacefully at home January 7, 2009, beloved husband for 55 years of Donna (nee Byrnes), loving father of Denise (Prank), Van Boldrik, Dr. Daniel (Dr. Susan), William A. (Eileen), Marianne (William) Leslie, and Jeanne (Thomas) Hickey, and cherished Bebop of 17 grandchildren, Michael, Kelly and Anne Marie Van Boldrik, Aileen, Daniel, Megan and Michael Rowan, Brian (Nicole), William (Dana) and Edward Rowan, Andrew Harrigan, Tara, Marieclaire and Griffin Leslie and Patrick, Catherine and Owen Hickey, beloved son of the late Dr. William A. and the late Ethel (nee McLaughlin) Rowan, loving brother of the late Thomas (the late Virginia) Rowan, CPD, the late Dr. Robert (the late Lurline) Rowan, Ret. Col., U.S. Army, the late Rev. Gerald Rowan, James (Susan), and Shirley (Thomas) Schultz, and honored uncle and cousin of many. He followed in his fathers footsteps and was a practicing dentist for 58 years, first in South Shore and then Beverly, a proud graduate of Our Lady of Peace, Leo H.S., where he wrestled and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, 1943 graduate of Northwestern School of Dentistry. He proudly served as an Army Captain in the Pacific Theater during WWII, one of four boys in his family to serve. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and a Eucharistic Minister at St. Barnabas for many years, and was very happy "that his grandfather didn't miss the boat." He will be greatly missed by hundreds of friends, patients and loved ones in Chicago and Long Beach. Funeral Saturday 8:30 a.m. from Donnellan Funeral Home, 10525 S. Western Ave. to St. Barnabas Church. Mass 9:30 a.m. Interment Private. An Irish wake will be held Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Company of Mary Hospital Hospice. Info 773-238-0075. Sign guestbook at www.donnellanfuneralhome.com 
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Rowan
Tom Slawik
February 6, 2009
Dear Denise,
I was very sorry to read of your father's passing. I feel privileged to have known him. Although you have many years of loving memories to reflect upon, I know he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and entire Rowan family.
Brien Comerford
January 17, 2009
Dear Jeannie Rowan Hickey:
It's very obvious that your father was a great man who fought for our country's freedom and did an exemplary job raising his children. His venerable earthly pilgrimage is over and he's now in a celestial place replete with peace and bereft of pain.
The Barron Family
January 12, 2009
Dear Jeannie,
We were so sorry to hear of the lost of your Dad. You are in all of our thoughts and prayers.
Pat Fenlon
January 12, 2009
Dear Donna and family, So sorry to hear of Bee's passing. I know you had many great years together and that he will be missed by all of you.
God bless you all. Pat Fenlon
Margaret Butkus
January 10, 2009
Dear Mrs. Rowan and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr Rowan was a great, great man. He had a wonderful sense of humor and an immense love for his family. It was truly a honor to know him. I know he will be missed by so many. My heart felt thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Margaret (Dr Wexlers Dental Assistant)
Alice Magaha
January 10, 2009
Dear Donna and family,
My heart is with you all during this sad time. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to visit with you last summer and to get reacquainted with you both.
January 10, 2009
Marianne, and Jeannie,
I was sorry to hear about the death of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Peggy Grant Dineen
Steve Childers
January 10, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rowan and Hickey families during this very difficult time.
Jim & Bridget Fitzmaurice
January 9, 2009
Mrs. Rowan
We are saddened to hear about the loss of Mr. Rowan. Please know you are in our thoughts & prayers.
Mike Tracy
January 9, 2009
It was reassuring to see him cruising the neighborhood daily when Brian and I had our business on Western last year. He would stop to chat sometimes or just keep walking saying "Hi guys, Im busy, so no talking today." The Tracy family sends their condolences.
Jim Cacciottolo
January 9, 2009
Billy & Eileen,
I'm sorry for your loss. I will keep your Father in my thoughts & prayers.
God bless him, Dad lived a long & prosperous life.
Judith Fagan Carroll
January 9, 2009
The family of Frank"Bappy"Fagan send condolences to your entire family at this time.They were a group of very special men.
pat byrne
January 8, 2009
Dear Mrs Rowan and family. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember Dr. Rowan as having a very dry wit and being very low key; one of the many qualities Denise inherited. What a wonderful legacy he leaves.
Pat Byrne in Portland Oregon
rowan
Uncle Bee at breakfast, summer 2008!
Patricia Shiloh
January 8, 2009
Dear Donna and family,
So sorry I couldn't come to be with you at this time. I loved Bee and will miss him very much. My prayers are with you all. Much love, Trish
Bee and his good head of hair! Circa late 1940s.
January 8, 2009
John & Rose Martin
January 8, 2009
Our deepest condolences at your loss. (Froukje van Boldirk's in-laws)
Patricia Mahoney-Daly
January 8, 2009
Dr. Rowan, you will be missed, thanks for all your friendship and kindness to me and my parents for all these years.
To all of the Rowan's, take care of yourselves! Sorry we could not be there.
Patty Mahoney(Daly) and Ray Daly
Doing what he did best. Funny baby tooth extraction in Long Beach 2007
January 8, 2009
Maureen and Russ Duda
January 8, 2009
Heaven has a new angel and his name is Uncle Bee.
Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results
Make a Donation
in William Rowan's name
Memorial Events
for William Rowan
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William Rowan's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
