Dan Gowan

Dan passed away on July 23, 2021 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ronda; his children, Meghan Gowan, Greg (Jacque) Gowan, and Sam Gowan; grandchildren, Riley Huss, Charlie Huss, Raegan Gowan, and Wesley Gowan; and his schnauzer, Isla, all of whom he loved with his whole heart.  Dan also leaves behind loving friends, in laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, and colleagues. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Joan Gowan. Dan was born and raised in St. Paul, was a graduate of St. Mark’s Elementary and Cretin High School. Dan proudly joined the United States Coast Guard in 1984 and served for 10 years while embracing life in Astoria, Oregon; Kodiak, Alaska; Duluth, MN and Alameda, CA. While in the USCG Dan was trained as a Corpsman, he worked in clinics, on buoy tenders and cherished his time coordinating efforts during search and rescue missions. Dan also became an X-Ray Technician during his time in the USCG. Once separated from the service in 1994, he served in the reserve for another 3 years out of Duluth, MN. Dan attended St. Paul College, became a Respiratory Therapist and proceeded to work at Regions Hospital for over 13 years. Dan loved patient care and was proud of the work he did. He never missed an opportunity to teach, train, mentor or coach other disciplines or new RTs. While raising his three children with Ronda, he instilled upon each of them his love of the water. A staple of life in the Gowan home is being outside, camping, hiking and enjoying Lake Superior. Dan’s love for all things outdoors started when he was very young, and he and his parents would take him to do many of same things he did with his family. Dan’s passion for coaching spanned all of his kids and their multiple sports where he was often found behind the bench or on the court/field encouraging them. Once the children were grown, Dan and Ronda would spend most weekends hiking, canoeing, taking road trips or spending time with their grandchildren. Dan will always be remembered as someone who loved his family and friends deeply, without judgement. He loved to laugh and could find the highlight of each day and was always the optimist of the family. He lived as he died: content and trusting of those who loved him. Daily, Dan led by example and expressed dignity and grace in his actions and words. Our family and friends will be forever grateful to the exceptional care teams at Regions Hospital, Health Partners Clinics and Hospice, countless therapists, nurses, PCAs, technicians and anyone we may have left out, you are not forgotten. We also extend thanks to Stillwater Good Samaritan for their loving support of Dan and our family as we said goodbye. A memorial celebration of life will be held on August 9,2021 at O’Halloran and Murphy, 575 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul. Visitation at 10 AM, service at 11 AM. Dan will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling in September. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers. Memorials may be mailed to the funeral home to be forwarded to Dan's family.