In Memory Of Ronald Lowman

Ronald William Lowman, 81, passed away peacefully on September 2.

Born on May 17, 1944, to Carroll and Marie Lowman, Ron was raised in Brooklyn Park, Maryland. A 1962 graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, he sold shoes to earn tuition for a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland in 1967. He later continued his education at the prestigious Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Of all of his accomplishments, Ron was proudest of his boys, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He provided wise guidance and relished their accomplishments. There were very few athletic events, dance recitals or horse shows that he missed. He was cheering in the stands, beaming with each success and hugging away the agony of defeat.

Holidays were his favorite time, when he could bring his family together to celebrate, offering his special hula pie or tiramisu. He anticipated each family vacation, taking his grandchildren on adventures near and across the globe. Yet, he found time to be with each of them individually. He will be remembered always with great love.

Ron is survived by his wife, Karen Walker Rogers Lowman, his four sons and their families: Ron and Mandi, Greg and Dawn Lowman of Severna Park, Vincent Lowman and Yvonne Doan of Davidsonville, and Chris and Lisa Lowman of Arnold. He is survived by his brother, Gary, and Gary’s wife, Diane, and niece Mandy of Pasadena. Ron was the adored and adoring grandpa of Alysha Hunke and her husband, Ryan; Bradley Griffith; Kaity Ballard; R.J., Zach, Callie, Camryn, Kate and Phoenix Lowman; great grandsons Kam and Kody Ballard; and soon-to-arrive, his first great-granddaughter. Also surviving are his cousins and members of his extended families to whom he was so special.

Ron was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his sons, Kathleen Cahill Lowman, his brother Roland Lowman and his parents.

His first professional engineering job was with Union Carbide, where he worked on fuel systems for the Saturn 5 rocket that powered the Apollo Space Missions.

After returning to Baltimore, Ron spent over three decades at Baltimore Gas and Electric and Constellation Energy. He held a wide range of positions in engineering, operations, and maintenance and executive leadership. He was the project engineer for the construction of seven BGE generating plants and project manager of its largest coal fired facility. After seven years as vice president of fossil energy, he became president of Constellation Energy Generation, overseeing the operation of BGE’s non-nuclear plants and the construction and operation of electric plants in 11 states. Ron retired in 2002 to dedicate more time to his family, his love of reading, and his passion for travel.

Throughout his career, Ron was widely respected in the energy industry, chairing numerous industry committees, and was instrumental in managing the construction of the first commercial coal gasification plant in the United States.

His work led to the development of national structural standards by the Heat Exchange Institute of America. His leadership extended to national policy, as he served as a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Coal Council under Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, and on Maryland’s Governor’s Committee for Labor-Management Cooperation.

Ron believed in giving back and never stopped doing so. He was a member for over 20 years of the Clark School of Engineering Board of Visitors at the University of Maryland. He was a Whiting-Turner lecturer and was honored as a centennial medalist. He also served for over 25 years on the board of trustees for Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, including more than a decade as board president.

In the community, Ron was chairman of the corporate board of the YMCA, led the United Way Campaign for Anne Arundel County, and served on the board of the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association. He coached all his boys on soccer, baseball and basketball teams, also mentoring their teammates who may not have had a father figure.

Ron supported University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC). He dedicated decades to UM BWMC, serving on the board of directors and serving and chairing the hospital foundation board. He was a longtime member of The Center Club.

A man of curiosity and deep intellect, Ron loved history, particularly the history and culture of European cities, which he and his wife and family visited often. He was never far from a good book, a bowl of ice cream, or a bushel of steamed crabs. Ocean City, Maryland, and St. John in the Virgin Islands, held special places in his heart. Ron was an avid fan of the Baltimore Colts, the Ravens and Orioles and the University of Maryland basketball teams.

In memory of Ron, anyone can donate a pint of blood to help others. Memorial contributions may be made to University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center at BWMC Foundation — Attn: Susie Iaquinta, Director of Development, 255 Hospital Drive, Suite 408, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 or online at www.umms.org/bwmc/giving/make a donation-online.