Posts to the tribute of Jonathan Mark Cowans

Reyther Ortega lit a candle
Saturday, October 19, 2024
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I miss you so much. Thank you for everything you gave me. I will love you madly forever. Reyther
Chioma Okwueze posted a condolence
Sunday, September 8, 2024
He was so kind, generous and willingness to help others. His presence will be deeply missed.
malcolm smith posted a condolence
Saturday, September 7, 2024
The loss of Jon is so saddening, and I wish strength and recovery to Reyther, Alejandra, and Marcelo, and of course to Jon's brother Bruce and their mother Diane. I knew Jon since about the 4th grade, and we spent a lot of time together back then. Even though we were the same age, in many ways I looked up to him, with his obvious intelligence, humor, kindness, and curiosity. Those traits only became stronger as he grew into adulthood. Like many friendships, we periodically drifted apart, then came together again over the years; but it was one of those friendships that time doesn't really affect - when we reconnected, it was as if we had never parted. As adults we were housemates in Cupertino for a couple of years in the early 80s, and after that we never really lost touch. Over the last 10 or 15 years we were fortunate to spend time with Jon and his beautiful family when they visited California a couple of times a year, from their home on the east coast. We visited them in New Jersey once or twice as well. A lifelong friendship, which I will truly miss.
Ortega Aepli Family lit a candle
Friday, September 6, 2024
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Jon will always be a part of our family and our hearts. He was an amazing father, husband, and exemplary teacher.
Eva Giloi posted a condolence
Friday, September 6, 2024
Jon was a pillar to the department and a model to me from the moment I started at Rutgers twenty years ago. He stood out, above all else, for his love and care for our students, and his active engagement in shaping a challenging, rewarding intellectual environment for them. He was also a fearless champion for the good of the department and for the School of Arts and Sciences more broadly. I remember, so clearly, the wisdom he showed in many of our department meetings, in particular striving to correct some of the less rational policies that came our way at times. He had a particular gift of foresight, and an ability to look at policies from a human scale. Along with all of these deeply admirable, serious qualities, he also had a terrific, wry sense of humor. It was always a special pleasure to run into Jon in the hallways and share a sly joke about some of the absurdities that inevitably pop up in academic life. We will all miss him deeply.
Beryl Satter posted a condolence
Friday, September 6, 2024
I met Jon in 1995, when he started his job at Rutgers University-Newark. As a long-time colleague and friend, I can say that Jon enriched the life of everyone who was lucky enough to know him. He was an extraordinary person -- brilliant, sensitive, empathetic, and wise. He always followed his own path in life, letting his intense curiosity about the world direct this thinking and his scholarship. He was one of the most emotionally grounded people I have ever met. His actions and attitudes also always remained grounded in rationality and common sense, another rare quality. I speak for myself and for his other Rutgers colleagues when I say that he was a huge presence in our lives, and that he will be profoundly missed.
Doug Engfer posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
So saddened by Jon’s passing, and the loss to his family. Sharing strength, courage, and resilience with his family and loved ones. My friendship with Jon extends back to 7th grade at Edwin Markham Junior High in San Jose. Alphabetical seating can lead to serendipity; I met Jon through Dale Frank (who remains a life-long dear friend). We shared tastes in music (progressive rock), recreation (tennis, sometimes with Jon’s brother, Bruce), and academics (history). I always admired Jon for his candor, incisive wit, and unvarnished honesty. Though our lives diverged, and we did not maintain close contact over the years, I will always cherish memories of our times together as we worked to define our places in the world.
The family of Jonathan Mark Cowans uploaded a photo
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Jonathan Cowans
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Jacob A Holle Funeral Home