PMC 2010 Passenger Profile: Bob Rowell

My final passenger for this year's PMC is the gentleman to the right: Robert L ("Bob") Rowell. Bob passed away from prostate cancer last year, but his story and picture will be riding with me on this year's Pan Mass Challenge.

Bob's prostate cancer was detected at a late stage, by which time it had metastasized. The prognosis was that he would have only 3 years.  Bob sought treatment at Dana-Farber and thanks to their help and Bob's tenacity, they were able to stretch that to six years.  But ultimately, the cancer won and Bob passed away in January of 2009.

Bob's story and picture came to me from my friend Rusty Rowell, Bob's son.  In his life, Bob Rowell was probably better known by many as "Robert Rowell, PhD, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst", an internationally-respected professor of Physical Chemistry.  Rusty remembered him to me as a not only a great teacher but also a dad who enjoyed "laughing at a good fart", and spending time with his family relaxing on Cape Cod at their house in Wellfleet.  

So, this Sunday morning I'll be extra mindful to pull out Bob's picture while I'm riding next to the dunes at Wellfleet, so we can both enjoy a nice ride on a sunny Cape Cod morning.