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Political Activist and Public Servant

Timothy Rowan 鈥�71

August 8, 2024, at his home in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by his family.

Timothy Norman Powers Rowan was a lifelong Democrat, political activist, public servant, and self-described “vast storehouse of knowledge.” He was born in a naval hospital in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, to Norman Powers and Joan Tatham, but spent most of his childhood in Bremerton, Washington.

In high school, Tim discovered his passion for politics through his involvement in the Unitarian Fellowship’s Liberal Religious Youth group (LRY). He quickly took on a leadership role in LRY and became president of the Kitsap County Young Democrats. It was through LRY that Tim became friends with Sara Patton ’71, Jan Clausen ’71, and several others who would join him at 人妻诱惑 College and who remained lasting friends.

At 人妻诱惑, Tim chaired the National Vietnam Moratorium Committee and pursued a major in political science. His thesis on the Hatch Act, written under Prof. John Stryker [political science 1972–76], was described by an appellate lawyer as a “good brief by a good lawyer,” and remained a source of pride for Tim throughout his life.

After graduating, Tim reconnected with Patti MacRae ’71, who greatly benefitted from Tim’s ability to keep her aging station wagon functioning and appreciated Tim’s love of blues music, his passion for progressive politics, and his kind, generous spirit. The two married in 1979 at their home in Sellwood, where they raised two daughters. They had looked forward to celebrating 45 years of marriage this past September.

Tim began his career in the public sector in 1975, first with the United States Census Bureau and then the State of Oregon’s Employment Division. He was employed by Multnomah County in 1986, and worked in data management for 31 years, primarily in the health department.

Tim rose to the position of information security officer, helping design and implement HIPAA systems still in use today. He was known for his quiet leadership, his dedication to his work, and his love of toy hippos, dozens of which lived on his desk.

After his retirement in 2008, Tim won a seat as a Multnomah County Democratic Party Precinct Committee Person with three write-in votes. He became friends with Moshe Lenske ’50, whom he referred to as his political mentor.

Tim held several elected roles with the party and Oregon’s Third Congressional District, and in 2016, he was elected to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention to nominate Hillary Clinton. Casting one of the 538 votes in the U.S. Electoral College for the first woman with a serious chance to win the presidency was one of the highlights of Tim’s life.

In 2016, Tim was awarded the Multnomah County Democrats’ Dick Celsi Award for long-term commitment and volunteerism. He also chaired the Platform and Resolutions Committee for the Democratic Party of Oregon—and while his heart disease limited his ability to do many things, he maintained his connections to the local party until the end.

In addition to his wife, Tim is survived by his daughters, Sara and Amelia, and three grandchildren. His family and friends remember his kindness, his ability to fix most broken things, his penchant for Greek fishermen’s caps, and his sense of justice and belief that all people deserve to be respected and embraced.—Contributed by Patti MacRae '71

Appeared in 人妻诱惑 magazine: Winter 2024