Obituary – Dr. Fred Gowans
by Pinedale Online!
December 11, 2023
Dr. Fred Gowans passed away on Thursday, December 7th, 2023, in Orem, Utah. He was a preeminent fur trade historian and taught at Brigham Young University for many years. He was an advisor and historian in residence for the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale for nearly twenty years.
The Museum posted on their Facebook page, "We are sorry to hear Dr. Fred Gowans passed away on December 7th. For a generation Fred has been THE Rocky Mountain fur trade expert, and has inspired and encouraged countless historians. He graciously gave his expertise, time and credibility for the first two decades of the new Museum of the Mountain Man as an advisor and historian in residence. We will miss his kindness and enthusiasm, but it will live in all of us whom he has inspired."
Obituary - Fred R. Gowans
July 4, 1936 - December 7, 2023
Frederick Ross Gowans, son of Floyd DeLaMare Gowans and Rachel Hill Gowans, passed away peacefully in Orem, Utah on December 7, 2023. He was 87.
Fred was survived by his wife of 44 years, Gloria Rae Comstock Hill, and their blended family of six children which are Michael (Melanie) Hill, Debbie (Scott) Eldredge, Joni Donithorne, R. Mark (DaNielle) Gowans, Marla (Shane) Boren, Beth (David) Verbanatz, as well as 28 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren and a sister Alice Jane Evans. He was preceded in death by his brother Floyd Hill Gowans, his son-in-law, Delane Donithorne, and his stepson Randall Hill.
Fred was born in Wesleyville, Pennsylvania on July 4,1936. Shortly before his birth, his father accepted an engineering position with the General Electric Company in Erie, Pennsylvania. However, Fred spent many pleasant summer vacations in Tooele, Utah with extended family.
At the age of 20, Fred was called to serve a two-year mission in the California Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his mission, he attended BYU in Provo, Utah. While there he met his future wife, Lavona Beth Connolly. They were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on July 17, 1959. They both graduated from BYU that same year. He then accepted a position in Chandler, Arizona where he taught seminary at Chandler High School. They then moved to Springville, Utah where Fred began his Master’s Degree in History at BYU. After obtaining that degree they moved to Brigham City, Utah where he taught seminary for two years at Box Elder High School. Fred was then assigned a position in 1964 with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaching Institute of Religion classes at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. They spent four years in Corvallis. Fred then applied with BYU to obtain his PhD degree in Western American History, and the family moved to Orem, Utah. He began teaching for BYU and taught there until he retired at the age of 65.
After becoming single, Fred married Gloria Comstock Hill on June 22, 1979. Together they loved going on his historical treks, watching BYU basketball and BYU football games together. They made their home in Orem, Utah, and Fred lived there until his death.
Fred was down to earth and a hard worker. He was mostly seen in a cowboy hat, western shirt, Levi’s, and cowboy boots. He was very personable and loved to make people smile and laugh. He dearly loved his family and loved playing with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.
Fred loved sports. He played baseball, football and ran track in high school. He and his father raised horses and went riding together for many years. He became infatuated with the study of lives of the mountain men, the fur trade in the Western United States, and the history of Fort Bridger, Wyoming. He authored several books including Fort Bridger, Fort Supply, Mountain Man and the Grizzly, and Rocky Mountain Rendezvous. He also wrote manuscripts and articles on fur trading, mountain men and the rendezvous system, making him the pre-eminent expert on fur trade history. He presented special programs to universities and the National Park Service. He was a member of the Utah Westerners. Fred served as a consultant on numerous films and documentaries concerning the history of the West and was accorded several prestigious awards. From 1973 until 2001, Fred was the Native American studies coordinator at BYU.
A viewing will be held the night of Friday, December 15th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, located at 165 East 1780 North, Orem, Utah. The funeral will be held on Saturday, December 16th, at 11:00 am at the same location, with a viewing from 9:30 am - 10:30 am. The interment will be held at the Orem City Cemetery.
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