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In Memoriam: Industry Giant David Rowan Dies
By Craig Altschul
June 13, 2005
David Rowan, one of the most influential figures in modern ski history, died Wednesday, June 8 from mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Rowan is best known in the ski industry as the founding editor and publisher of Ski Area Management (SAM Magazine), the industry's premier trade publication.
Rowan began his industry career in 1949 as editor, interim publisher, and ad salesperson for SKI Magazine. Rowan stayed with SKI until 1961 when the magazine was sold to a New York publisher. Rowan, along with Otis Ridge Ski Area owner David Judson, organized the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).
Rowan's editorials in SAM were the spirit of the publication. They were editorials that never minced words, nor shied away from controversy. If he felt a cause was right - popular or unpopular - he would champion it. His 32 years of shepherding SAM made it consistently a "must read" and a forum for exchange of ideas and opinions.
Rowan was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1996 as a Ski Sport Builder. He was also the recipient of the NSAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
"My one over-riding thought seems so banal as I write it, but perhaps truth is banal," he wrote in his final words to his family. "It seems to me 'decency' is a human quality that should be pursued above all others. Maybe it smacks a little of elitism, but I don't care. If people measured their actions against a standard of 'what is the decent thing to do?' the world would be a much better place. Such a standard forces you to reach down into your innermost self and measure your action against your own innermost standard of right and wrong. No expediency allowed. Yes, an unsophisticated concept, but it has been a core one with me ever since I learned it as a little English schoolboy."
"Our father was a pioneer and we are so very proud and honored to continue to pursue the high standards that he set forth in SAM," say Olivia and Jennifer Rowan, publishers. "His writing, his style, his grace, his wit and his wisdom were rare and we are fortunate as an industry to have benefited from his years of devotion and hard work."
The entire staff at Mountain News Corp. sends its deepest sympathy to the Rowan family. We send it to the winter sports industry as well. Our industry cannot afford to lose its giants.
Donations in Rowan's name may be sent in lieu of flowers to:
Theatre Works
5 Brookside Avenue
New Milford, CT 60776
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