Dr. Jon Cowan

Looking back on the life of Jon Cowan, it is easy to see both his commitment to service and his devotion to his family. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with them, and building relationships with his grandsons.

It was during World War II, that Philip and Mayme Cowan were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child. Jon was born on August 20, 1943. Jon lived in a household with his younger sister Martha. Their Dad worked as a pharmacist and their mother was a homemaker. Childhood memories included summers in the UP town of Mohawk with multiple cousins. They loved climbing Jacobs Falls and, with his mother being Finnish, they frequented their aunt’s sauna.

Throughout his childhood, Jon attended local schools and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1961. He then studied pre-med at Kalamazoo College, graduating in 1965, before going on to attend U of M medical school and completing an anesthesia residency.

It was while interning at Blodgett Hospital, that Jon met the love of his life. Her name was Wanda Groen, and she was a recent nursing school graduate. Jon invited Wanda and her roommate over for a dinner which he cooked himself. A first date followed at Holly’s Landing on Ann Street. The couple shared a strong connection, and their relationship flourished, despite Wanda working in Grand Rapids, and Jon doing his residency in Ann Arbor. They married on November 13,1971 at Sister Lakes Community church, which was a halfway point between the two families.

The newlywed enjoyed a honeymoon at the opening of the Disney World Resort, before settling down on Ann Arbor.

Of all the things Jon enjoyed in life, he treasured his family above all else. He and Wanda welcomed their daughter Valerie in 1974, followed by the arrival of Rebecca in 1977. Over the years, the family added 4 Golden Retrievers.

Jon loved his role as Dad, and was famous for his letter-shaped pancakes, his homemade spaghetti, and popcorn served with chocolate shakes. Jon built a dollhouse for each daughter that involved hours of work in the basement. After his daughters had graduated from college, and were out of the house, Jon and Wanda hosted a boy, Edgar Villeda, from Honduras to attend high school in the states. Ed was like a son to Jon.

Each of the girls married, adding Bo Davis and Erik Boehm to the family. Happily, grandchildren followed, 3 sons from each daughter.

Jon’s career included anesthesia residency in Ann Arbor, followed by a two year tour of duty at the naval hospital in Camp LeJeune, where he served as a lieutenant commander. Jon was deployed on the Iwo Jima, serving as medical support for the military by removing explosives from the Suez Canal. Once he was out of the military, he returned to Ann Arbor as a clinical instructor at the U of M. In 1976 Jon settled into his position in anesthesia at Blodgett Hospital where he served for 37 years. Feeling the call for service, Jon participated in 25 years of short- term medical mission trips to Honduras. Jon found a true passion in caring for the people there. After retiring in 2010, Jon was honored to receive the Distinquished Physicians Award from Spectrum Health as recognition for his contributions to medicine.

Jon was known for his sweet tooth, chocolate chip cookies and strawberry shortcake were his favorites. Jon enjoyed classical music, and he and Wanda were symphony attendees. In retirement, Jon was able to travel and enjoy his favorite hobby, reading. Their condo at the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor, which they owned for 40 years, was a second home for the family. As a dedicated member of First Christian Reformed church, Jon served on various committees, and as an elder. He loved his Thursday morning Bible study group. Jon’s favorite Bible passage was Romans 12.

Jon would say he had a life blessed beyond measure. He was a source of strength, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Jon leaves behind an example of being Christ’s servant.