In Memoriam

STAN ROWE (1918-2004)

by Peter Jonker

J. Stan Rowe wants everyone to love Earth because "the central ecological reality for organisms - 25 million or so species - is that all are Earthlings... An awareness of self as an ecological being, fed by water and other organisms, and as a deep-air animal living at the productive, sun-warmed interface where atmosphere meets land, brings a sense of connectedness and reverence for the abundance and vitality of sustaining Nature." (A Manifesto for Earth, 2004)

Stan passed away on April 6. Although we are deeply saddened that Earth has claimed back our friend and mentor, there is greater cause to celebrate his contributions. As a gifted speaker and writer, he has left behind a persuasive voice that will continue to beckon us all along a path to healing this planet. Thank you, Stan.

After growing up a preacher's kid at the foot of the Alberta Rockies (Granum and High River), Stan studied at the University of Manitoba and took a job as research forester with the Canadian Forestry Service. At the onset of WWII, he asserted himself as a conscientious objector - his first brush with prevailing laws that resulted in "time to reflect in isolation." The war over, he pursued MSc and PhD degrees and then accepted, in 1967, a position as Professor of Crop Science and Plant Ecology with the University of Saskatchewan; he remained here until his retirement in 1985.

In the early 1990s, Stan moved to New Denver, BC where he lived out his remaining years in the embrace of largely unspoiled mountains and a vibrant community of wilderness activists. Here, leading a march to protest forest clearcutting and support water conservation, Stan again demonstrated his readiness to sacrifice short-term personal comfort for the long-term wellbeing of Earth. He played his guitar, and with Katherine joined a local choir that regularly played and lead sing-alongs at the senior's lodge.

Stan was easy to befriend, ever so cautious to render judgements, and always attuned to whatever humour might be drawn from the present moment. In New Denver his was a life of obvious simplicity, his office a converted car garage furnished with little more than his books, a computer, and a virtual, international network of email friends.

Throughout life, Stan published prolifically. His best known book Home Place: Essays on Ecology will endure alongside the writings of the world's other great environmentalists. A sequel was completed over a year ago and is eagerly anticipated.

Stan. . . thank you and farewell.