LOVE OF ANIMALS SHAPED LIFE OF ROGER COWAN, 59

Tami Cowan browsed through a handful of family photos Friday. Several of them had her father, Roger L. Cowan, cradling a small kitten or playing fetch with his favorite hunting dog, Duchess.

Roger Cowan’s passion for animals shaped his career choice. He eventually became a veterinarian, said his daughter, of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Cowan, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June, died Wednesday in Blair, Neb., home. He was 59.

Cowan, a native of McCook, Neb., graduated from Oxford (Neb.) Community Schools in 1963.

Shortly after his college graduation, he was hired by a veterinary clinic in St. Louis, where he spent four years. He later moved to Omaha to create Northwest Animal Hospital, a clinic he owned for more than 30 years.

“He dearly loved his two grandchildren and lived his life to the fullest,” his daughter said. He was an avid hunter and had been a pilot since 1975.

A service for Cowan is set for 10 a.m. today at the Fort Street Christian Church of Omaha.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Miriam of Blair; son Terry of Blair; mother Ora Cowan of Holdrege, Neb.; brother, Wayne Cowan of Oxford; and two grandchildren.

# 2 - - Also published in the Omaha World Herald October 30, 2004

Roger Cowan, age 59 years. Survived by wife, Miriam; daughter, Tami Cowan; son and Noelle Cowan; grandchildren, Nicollette Cowan, Tate Cowan; mother Ora Cowan; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Linda Cowan; aunts, uncles; nieces and nephews.

Services Sat. 10 am, Fort Street Christian Church. Interment Sun. 2 pm, Oxford Cemetery, Oxford, NE. Visitation Fri. 6-8pm, 72nd St. Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial to Pancan.org.

John A. Gentleman Mortuaries, 72nd Street Chapel, 1010 North 72nd St.