William J. Rowe, M.D.
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William J. Rowe, M. D., age 94, passed away peacefully in his home in Keswick, Virginia on Sunday, September 18, 2022.
Dr. Rowe was a distinguished physician of exemplary distinction in the field of internal medicine. He has spent more than 30 years since his retirement researching cardiovascular implications of endurance training and spaceflight, making several groundbreaking discoveries along the way.
He was born October 31, 1927 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Alvin Rowe and Ida Claire (Omansky) Rowe. He is survived by his spouse of 67 years, Mary Elaine (Kenkel), niece Mary Ann and nephew David. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Beverly.
Dr. Rowe graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1950 with a BS degree and then the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine in 1954. Dr. Rowe then started his longtime dedication to medicine after a two-year tour of duty as Captain in the U. S. Air Force. He traveled to Denver to complete his internship at St. Joseph Hospital and then ventured to University of Iowa, fulfilling his residency before heading to Toledo, Ohio to start his long, successful solo practice.
Dr. Rowe continued his career after completing his post medical school apprenticeships, assuming a position at the University of Toledo College of Medicine in 1962. During his remarkable three-decade stint there, he then served as chairperson for Department of Medicine of St Vincent Mercy Medical Center, while also maintaining his own private practice.
Dr Rowe maintains many certifications and memberships and has won several awards. Dr. Rowe's most notable contribution in medicine began in 1992, when he authored the instructional paper, "Extraordinary Unremitting Endurance Exercise and Permanent Injury to Normal Heart" for the journal Lancet.
He studied the phenomenon for years researching hypertension in astronauts who inhaled moon dust in the lunar module. His work on the subject?where he published multiple influential articles?established the conditions (Neil Armstrong Syndrome and Apollo 15 Space Syndrome) based on Dr. Rowe's interpretations of data extracted from returning astronauts. As a forerunner in this fascinating study, his research served as a benchmark for future scholarships on the health effects of space travel.
In addition to his incredible achievements, Dr. Rowe has also organized many conferences around the world and delivered presentations in Europe, China, Japan, Dubai and Australia, dispersing his critical knowledge regarding life expectancy in space and the possible advantages of an all-female (FEMS IN SPACE) mission to Mars. With his legacy firmly cemented he served as an archetypal intellectual and researcher in his field, making discoveries that will surely be remembered throughout history.
On a more personal level, Dr. Rowe and his wife Mary have enjoyed several African safaris over the years. Also, he loved living on their farm in western Lucas County raising and caring for llamas, sheep and deer. He was a firm believer in exercise and was still taking extensive walks up until a month ago.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Hill and Wood Funeral Home, 201 -1st St. N., Charlottesville, Virginia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at a later date at St Mary's Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio. Frederick Funeral Home will assist the family with the entombment.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to St.Thomas Aquinas Church, 401 Alderman Rd., Charlottesville, Va.22903 or charity of donor's choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.