SWAN’S ISLAND – Ronald Hofer Rowland died July 31, 2012, at his summer home on Swan’s Island. He was born May 23, 1932, in Wellington, England, the only child of the Rev. Ronald Hubert Rowland and Esther Hofer Rowland.
Ronald came with his parents to the United States at the age of 6 weeks. His high school years began when he left the Cathedral of St. John Choir School to join his parents in Geneva, and were completed at Morristown Prep two years later when they returned to the states. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., and a second Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service after he spent two years in the U.S. Army. He also received a Master of Science degree from the University of Kansas in environmental science. He married Evelyn St. Croix Scofield in 1961. His career covered many areas. His longest stints were at Davison Chemical Division of W.R. Grace & White Pigment Co. His last full-time employment was running the laboratory at PC Boards, Chanute, Kan. He was code enforcement officer and licensed plumbing inspector for the town of Swan’s Island in his retirement. He enjoyed flying small planes, was active in the Lions Club for a number of years, was a Boy Scout Leader and belonged to Order of the Arrow and Wood Badge. Since moving to Madison, Ga., for the winters starting in 2007, he enjoyed volunteering at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by their three sons and families, William, a foreign service officer, and his wife, Claudia, and daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria; Thomas and his wife, Colleen, and sons, Benjamin and Alexander and daughter, Katherine of Atlanta; and Joel and his wife, Shobhan, and sons, Kagan and Kiran, of Santa Fe, N.M.
His final wishes were to be cremated. There will be a memorial service in mid-November, in Madison, Ga. His ashes will be interred on Swan’s Island. Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Ronald Hofer Rowland
