The University Record, April 15, 1997
Obituary
Tom D. Rowe
Tom D. Rowe, professor emeritus of pharmacy and dean emeritus of the College of Pharmacy, died April 1. He was 86.
Rowe attended the U-M for two years and then obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Montana. He earned a Ph.D. in 1940 from the University of Wisconsin.
He was a pharmacy instructor at the University of Nebraska in 1934, associate professor at the Medical College of Virginia in 1935-1945 and professor of pharmacy and assistant dean at Rutgers University before joining the U-M as dean of the College of Pharmacy in 1951. He served as dean in 1951-1975, and as professor of pharmacy in 1951-1979.
“During the past 28 years, Tom Rowe has served this University in an exemplary manner,” noted the Regents upon his retirement in 1979. “Under his guidance the College of Pharmacy became a recognized leader in research and education. He assembled an outstanding faculty and worked diligently to provide them with the resources necessary to ensure a quality program.”
He was instrumental in writing and helping to pass legislation in the state that updated the Pharmacy Practice Act of Michigan. The law took effect in 1962 and served as a model for pharmacy regulation in other states.
Rowe also was the first educator to be elected president of the Michigan Pharmaceutical Association, and was named Pharmacist of the Year by the Association in 1975. He also was president of Rho Chi, the honorary Pharmaceutical Society; national first vice president of the American Pharmaceutical Association; and president of both the Michigan Academy of Pharmacy of the American Colleges of Pharmacy.
“Tom Rowe was one of those extraordinary people whose great professional achievements were dwarfed by his qualities as a human being,” says James Richards, dean of the College of Pharmacy. “I have lost a dear friend and a mentor, and the College has lost a great champion.”
Rowe is survived by his wife, Georgia, and a son, Thomas D. Rowe of Durham, N.C.
