Former Professor Donald F. Rowland Passes Away
Donald F. Rowland, professor of law from 1970-1988, passed away Tuesday evening, November 6, 2001 following a brief illness at his home. Mr. Rowland joined the Washburn University School of Law faculty to create and direct the Law Clinic. Prior to Washburn, Professor Rowland was Probate Judge in Ellis County, Kansas.
Born in 1935, Rowland was a native of Ellis, a graduate of KU and the Washburn University School of Law. He served as an attorney for the U.S. Air Force in Italy prior to beginning a legal practice in Hays. He was a long time volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and an avid yachtsman. Following his retirement from Washburn University he served as Topeka City Attorney.
Mr. Rowland was married to Mary Scott Rowland, Vice President for Student Affairs at Washburn. She passed away in 1988. He is survived by his son Drew and wife Janice.
The following obituary appeared in the Topeka Capital-Journal, Thursday, November 8, 2001, p. C4.
Donald Frederick Rowland, 66, Topeka, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001, at his home.
Mr. Rowland was a law professor emeritus at Washburn University. He had practiced law in Ellis after graduating from Washburn University in 1959. He also served as probate, juvenile and county judge of Ellis County, being elected in 1964, 1966 and 1969. He left Ellis County to teach law at Washburn University and initiate the Washburn Law Clinic. After retiring from teaching, he served as Topeka city attorney from November 1988 until spring 1989. During his tenure at Washburn University he authored numerous books, papers and articles on the practice of law, including "Lawyers, Courts & Deprived Children: A Kansas Guide," which was published by the Kansas Bar Association. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force and served as judge advocate while on active duty from July 1959 to July 1963.
He was born Jan. 11, 1935, at Hays, the son of Lucille Rowland. He was raised in Ellis.
Mr. Rowland was a member of Countryside United Methodist Church. He served as Scoutmaster for seven years, was a board member for the Legal Aid Society of Topeka for seven years and represented the Kansas Bar Association before the Legislature on the division of assets legislation. He was a member of the American Bar Association. He also was a member of former mayor Joan Wagnon's 1997 transition team.
He married Mary L. Scott on Sept. 21, 1965, at Hays. She died May 29, 1988. He married Jan Hoisington on Nov. 18, 1989, at Topeka. She survives.
Survivors also include a son, Frederick Andrew Rowland, of Topeka.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Countryside United Methodist Church. Private burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Rowland will lie in state after noon today at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel; the casket will remain closed.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Washburn University School of Law, 1700 S.W. College, Topeka, 66621; Midland Hospice, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, 66606; or to Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 S.W. Burlingame Road, Topeka, 66611.
