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Stephen H. Rowan was born in Bletchingley, Surrey England September 2, 1923 to Archibald Hamilton Rowan and Louise McLean Rowan. He had two brothers Archibald and David. In Rye his family lived on Griswold Road and were members of Christ’s Church. Stephen graduated from St. Marks School in 1942

He served in the American Field Service during World War II.

Stephen Hamilton Rowan joined the American Field Service in February, and is now in the Near East working with the British Army. Friday, September 17, 1943 THE RYE CHRONICLE PAGE NINE

When World War II broke out, AFS reorganized its ambulance service, sending units first to France and then to the British Armies in North Africa, Italy, India-Burma and with the Free French for the final drive from southern France to Germany.

2,196 men served in the A.F.S. during World War II. Twenty-five were sons of drivers who served in the A.F.S. during the First World War.

Seventy AFS Ambulance Drivers assisted the efforts to liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April and May 1945.

Stephen Rowan will be remembered for his involvement in the village of Fort Simpson, Canada and for his dedication to the preservation of local history. He taught across the Northwest Territories, including Gameti and Sambaa K’e. He became the superintendent of education in Behchoko and spent a year as superintendent in Fort Simpson before retiring in 1987.

Rowan was an active volunteer in the village of Fort Simpson. He was a member of the Library Board and was involved in the Jack Rabbit Ski Club, the Boy Scouts, the Beautification Society and the Fort Simpson Fall Fair Committee. Rowan was also the founding and sustaining member of the Fort Simpson Historical Society.

Stephen H. Rowan died February 7, 2013.

The Stephen Hamilton Rowan Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to award $1000 scholarships to NWT residents who attended a Dehcho school and are currently enrolled in a post secondary program. The scholarship will be awarded annually on February 7, the anniversary of his passing.