ELWYN PHILLIPS ROWAN was born 21 September 1926 in Jackson, Tennessee, the son of Molly and Walter Caperton Rowan. His family later moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

Rip started playing football in junior high school, and continued at Central High School where he was captain of the team-making All Memphis, All State and All Southern. He also ran track and played baseball. After graduating in 1944, he attended Louisiana State University and played one season of football. Rip entered West Point in June 1945 and played football under Colonel Blaik for three seasons. In 1947 he was presented the Most Valuable Player Award. After graduating in 1949, he played both in the Chicago and New York All Star Games.

Rip's first assignment was at Fort Riley, Kansas and then Fort Benning, Georgia. In January 1951, he joined the 4th Infantry Division in Butzbach, Germany. After a three- year tour, he returned to Fort Benning. In the summer of 1954 he contracted polio, and while recuperating, he returned to Memphis as a recruiting officer.

Rip resigned from the Army as a captain in 1958 and went to work for John T. Everett & Company, Manufacturers Representatives. He moved to North Carolina and lived there until 1965, when he returned to Memphis to become president of the company.

Extremely active in community affairs, Rip was a charter member of the Liberty Football Classic and served as President of the Classic in 1973. He was President of the Chickasaw Country Club in 1981 and also President and charter member of the Touchdown Club of Memphis.

Rip became ill in December 1983 with lung cancer and died 28 June 1985. He is survived by his, wife, six children, and seven grandchildren.