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Medford civic leader Jim Rowan dies Rogue Valley Medical Center co-founder remembered for commitment to city Jim Rowan, a longtime Medford community leader and one of the founders of Rogue Valley Medical Center, died Wednesday from cancer. Rowan was 82 years old. "Jim�s love for his country and his community were unique and Oregon is a better place because of his leadership and his love for life," said Patricia Smullin, president of California Oregon Broadcasting Inc. Smullin said she knew Rowan all of her life � he served on the company�s board of directors for many years. Rowan�s "unparalleled enthusiasm and commitment to giving back to the community" made him unique, she said. The Chamber of Commerce Medford/Jackson County honored Rowan as Citizen of the Year in 1993 for his numerous contributions. In 1955, Rowan led the founding group that raised $2.8 million to launch RVMC. He served as the medical center�s board chairman for 14 years, before retiring in 1989. In addition, he was the past president of the Medford YMCA board and Rogue Valley Country Club. He also was active in the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Rowan, born in Mobile, Ala., was valedictorian for his high school class in Cleveland. He attended Washington University in St. Louis. He and his father formed the Lee-Rowan Co., a St. Louis company that manufactured garment hangers and closet and bath accessories. Rowan enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on a destroyer during World War II. Married in 1941, Rowan and his wife, Margaret, had two sons, two daughters, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rowan moved to the Rogue Valley in 1953. He was a stockbroker and vice president with Smith Barney, Harris Upham and Co. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA