Paul R. Rowan, 86, of Branford, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2024, at Yale New Haven Hospital with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Susan Stellwagen Rowan and father of Jeffrey P. Rowan of Branford. Paul was born in Putnam on April 20, 1937, the son of the late Frank E. and Christina Bieg Rowan. He graduated from Putnam High School and entered the U. S. Navy Air Corps, where he served from 1956 to 1960 as an avionics technician, hunting Soviet submarines in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.

This led to a lifelong academic interest in Russian studies. Completing his military service, Paul matriculated at CCSC in 1965, where he also met his wife, Susan. They were married in August of 1965 and moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where Paul continued his education in the Russian Institute at IU and Sue taught fourth grade. He was awarded a master's degree in Russian and East European studies in 1967. That same year, Paul began a 35-year teaching career at Branford High School, where he taught social studies with a specialization in Russia/East European studies, ancient and medieval history, and western philosophy, his favorite. In addition, Paul worked with the Yale School of Forestry in developing an environmental curriculum program that he taught in the 1970s.

In 1968, Paul organized a club soccer program, which was officially recognized as a varsity sport in 1969. Paul served as head coach until 1985, guiding his fledgling program to a Housatonic League championship in 1976. The team participated in state championship play regularly, with several players earning All-State status and many continuing to compete at the college level.

Paul’s academic interests led him to a number of professional experiences beyond Branford. In 1968, he helped found the CT Council of Russian-East European Studies and was a leader in the federally funded program that provided teachers from across the country, from elementary to university levels, with an interactive two-week study of the Soviet Union. In 1978, he helped found the Yale-Hopkins Summer Seminar, where he served as a master teacher, and represented the Seminar at professional conferences, including the New England Council of Social Studies. Several times between 1983 and 1997, Paul escorted groups to Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Crimea, Yalta, and Murmansk in the summer as part of the Yale-Hopkins program. He was named co-director of the Yale-Hopkins Summer Institute in 1995.

Upon retiring, Paul had time to pursue a lifelong passion for trains and model railroading. He enjoyed many trips to Europe with his “railroading buddies,” riding trains and connecting with train clubs and museums. Paul and Sue traveled extensively in the US and Europe, spending time every winter for 30 years in Barbados and taking every opportunity to ride trains wherever they went. For many years, Paul was a ticket seller at BHS sporting events, an active member of the Branford Walkers Group, the Branford Historical Society, the Branford Retired Teachers, and a recipient of the Branford Education Hall of Fame and the Branford Sports Hall of Fame. He was an avid reader and enjoyed classical music and jazz, Tuesday breakfast with the guys, and the occasional martini with Woody. Paul was a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church, ushering and flipping blueberry pancakes with Jeff at the annual church fair. After a life well lived, Paul’s most important role was that of a loving and devoted husband, father, dedicated teacher, coach, and friend.

Paul was predeceased by his sister, Eileen Spellacy, and his brother, Frank E. Rowan II. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Susan; and son Jeffrey; also, nieces, Eileen Underwood (Neil) of Florida, Peggy Bean (Bob) of New Hampshire; nephews, Frank E. Rowan III (Cathy) of Georgia, and Zachary Rowan (Margaret) of Arkansas, and Springfield, Massachusetts; cousins, Meg and Marty Schoenemann, and Sany and Kevin Rowley.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 1109 Main Street, Branford. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, American Heart Association, or the charity of your choice. For directions and an online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.