Richard James Rowan

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Rick Rowan on June 14, 2025 at the age of 58.

Richard James Rowan was born on November 8, 1966, to Jim and Lorraine Rowan. Rick was raised on the Rowan Farm in Strong Creek and attended school in Peace River. He was a true farm boy at heart and loved spending time outside. While cattle and horses on the farm didn’t interest him, motorbikes and sleds certainly did. For Rick, the faster and louder the better – a motto that stayed with him throughout his life.

As a kid, Rick followed in his sister’s footsteps and joined 4-H but likely for different reasons. After watching Lynda get her cheque for her steer each year it didn’t take him long to know what he could do with that money. On achievement day, Rick sold his calf and immediately went straight to the Grimshaw trade fair to buy a motorbike that took the place of the calves in the stock trailer and hauled home.

Once Rick was finished with school, he went out to camp to run a cat for MacMillan Construction. He never shied away from hard work. Over the years he drove truck, worked at the elevator, and the alfalfa plant before following his passion and becoming a grain farmer.

Rick married Jacquie Renberg in 1990 and began their family that same year with the arrival of their son, Jarrett, on December 25, 1990. Their second son, Brett, followed on April 6, 1993. Knowing their family wasn’t complete without a baby girl they welcomed their daughter Shaeyn on December 16, 2001. Rick was a fun-loving and adventurous Dad – always creating memorable moments with his kids. Whether quadding around the yard, crop checking the fields or snowmobiling in the winter, he made every activity an adventure. Rick had a deep love for anything loud and full of life — from roaring quads and powerful trucks to his beloved Camaro and Peterbilt. He loved his rock and roll loud and his good times even louder. If there was music playing, chances are he was cranking it up and singing along. He truly was the life of the party.

When Rick first began farming, he continued to drive truck on the side. In 2005, he and his friend Dave Evans each bought a truck and leased on with Mullen Trucking, hauling equipment across the country. After a year behind the wheel, Rick decided to follow his true passion—farming and to spend more time with his family—and sold his truck to pursue it full time.

The one thing Rick loved more than farming, was his family. From motocross dad to dance dad, he did it all with pride. He enjoyed spending time with his kids quadding, playing games and passing down his knowledge and love of agriculture. Horses may not have been his thing however, when his daughter asked one he didn’t hesitate to make room for them on the farm. Although a medical mistake in 2015 altered Rick’s life forever he remained an active part of 5R Farms. He was a farmer through and through and nothing would take him from doing his part on the farm. A custom-built lift made by his Dad helped him get into the combine at harvest and the gator allowed him to go crop check – even though one visit was cut short by a police officer.

In 2021 Rick was promoted to Papa with the arrival of his first grandchild, Holland and then was happily, promoted once more in 2022 when Ozzy joined the family Rick got his first tattoo in 2011 that boldly stated, “No Guts No Glory.” For Rick the tattoo wasn’t just ink – it was a declaration of how he approached life. It will serve as an inspiration for those he loved to be brave, chase dreams and never back down from a challenge.

Rick was predeceased by his father, Jim Rowan in 2016.

He will be forever missed and lovingly remembered by his children – sons Jarrett, Brett (Jacoba), grandchildren Hollandand Ozzy; his daughter Shaeyn (Darrian), the mother of his children Jacquie; his mother Lorraine; his sister Lynda (Rob); his nieces Dakota (Gage) Raedyn, Bennett, Layton and Brooke (Brayden).

A private celebration of life is taking place.

Care entrusted to Peace Valley Funeral Home of Peace River (Kristi Heck) 780-624-1010.

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