GEORGE MacGOWAN

1902-1954

Friends of George MacGowan were saddened at his passing on November 26, 1954. His death resulted from a coronary thrombosis while playing a game of handball, a sport which he had actively followed for many years. George leaves a wife, Jane, and two children; a son, Douglas Hugh, and daughter, Laurie.

Raised in the Northwest, George MacGowan received his education in Seattle and later became a partner in the insurance firm of William H. Harmer Company.

Always an enthusiastic mountaineer, he began his serious interest in climbing in the early thirties. During this period he served as President of the Seattle Mountaineers, Inc., and a number of times as a member of the Board of Trustees. He was active in organizing the Cascade Section of the American Alpine Club and presided as its first Chairman. Later, he was also a Western Vice-President of the Club.

Mountaineering was not all fun for George as he was among the first to offer his services in the Mountain Rescue Council, which was organized to carry on rescue work and to promote safety in mountaineering. His early climbs covered most of the Cascade and Olympic ranges. He spent many of his later years in other well known Canadian climbing areas like those of Garibaldi, Lake O’Hara, the Tonquin Valley, Maligne Lake, the Selkirks, and the Bugaboos in Canada. Other regions visited were the Wind Rivers and the Grand Tetons in the Rockies. His climbs followed the most difficult routes and included some first ascents and a new route on the Grand Teton. During World War II he served his country in the Mountain Troops, Company G, 87th Infantry Regiment, and helped to organize the first climbing school.

George will be remembered by his friends as a climber’s mountaineer and he will be missed greatly. Under all circumstances his ever-ready wit and cheerfulness stimulated those with whom he was associated. He leaves very many friends whose lives his friendship has enriched beyond measure.

Will H. Borrow, Jr.