SFU Business alumnus William (Bill) Rowe, who graduated from the Executive MBA program and was a longtime supporter and friend of Simon Fraser University, passed away on May 28, 2010. A Celebration of Life will be held in his honour on June 9 from 2-4pm at Villa Amato, 88 East 1st Ave., in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Union Gospel Mission or the Heart and Stroke Foundation may be made in Bill’s honor.

SFU Business remembers William (Bill) Rowe, 1933-2010

The SFU Business community mourns the passing away of William (Bill) Rowe – a champion of the business school who will be remembered for his enormous contributions to Simon Fraser University.

Bill earned his Executive MBA from SFU in 1972. He credited his experience at the university for helping him receive a number of promotions throughout his impressive career, and for giving him the opportunity to experience life in most of Canada’s major urban centres.

Born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Bill worked 39 years for Air Canada, spending many of those year’s with the airline’s senior leadership team — all the while engaging the community through his contributions to numerous organizations.  He was known by friends and colleagues for his “inquisitive, outgoing personality, and kind, caring disposition.”

SFU Business remembers Bill for his unwavering enthusiasm for, and commitment to the business school, the university, and the broader community. “For decades, Bill was an admirable advocate for the business school, and for higher learning generally,” said Daniel Shapiro, Dean of SFU Business. “He leaves with us a valuable and important legacy.”

At Simon Fraser, he held an Alumni Order-in-Council position on the university’s Board of Governors from July 1999 – 2005. He served for two years as the Deputy Board Chair, and seven years as the Chair of the 26-member External Advisory Board for the Faculty of Business Administration. He served as the Chair of SFU’s Finance and Administration committee, and served on the Audit, Nominating and Governance committees. In 2000, Bill chaired the search committee for a new President for the university. He also played a valuable leadership role in Bridge to the Future, the university’s first major fundraising campaign.

In 1995, he received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award from SFU, and in 1996, he was given the Outstanding Alumni Award for his service to the university.

His previously cited advise to students — “to recognize when opportunity knocks – never say ‘no’ officially” — speaks volumes about Bill’s spirit and positive attitude towards life and towards the community he cared so much about.

An Online Book of Condolences has been created for Bill at www.deltafuneral.ca