John Lowther

Obituary of John Lincoln Lowther Houghton John L. Lowther, Professor Emeritus and long-time faculty member at Michigan Technological University, passed away May 9, 2019 at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility from complications following a stroke. He was born September 5, 1943 in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Ory and Anna Mae Lowther. He was a graduate of the Burlington High School, Burlington Community College, and the University of Iowa, receiving an MS in Mathematics and a PhD in Computer Science. John enjoyed a long career in teaching, with his first teaching position on the charter faculty of Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn. He arrived at Michigan Tech in 1974 and taught computer science until his retirement in 2009 after a stroke. He served on a number of committees and was acting head of the Computer Science Department for a year. He saw the growth of the department and was always proud of the careers and accomplishments of his students. Music was an important part of Johns life. He played the bassoon in the Southeast Iowa Symphony and the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra. He sang with Michigan Tech Concert Choir and his church choir at Portage Lake United Church. In retirement John continued to connect with former colleagues by computer or attending seminars. He enjoyed concerts and was a fan of the Pep Band, and Husky sports. John married his high school classmate, Biruta Lacis, on September 11, 1966. He took great pleasure in planning and sponsoring a concert by Michigan Techs Visual and Performing Arts at the Rozsa Center to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary in 2016. John is survived by his wife, Biruta; son Edward of Houghton; daughter Sara of Atlanta, GA; brother Peter (Caryn) of Homeward, Il; sister Priscilla of Iowa City, IA; brother-in-law Andrew (Reiko) Lacis of New York; sister-in-law Liga Lacis of Minnesota, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service for John will be held 2:00pm on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Portage Lake United Church in Houghton. Friends are invited to visit with the family at 1:00pm until the time of services and for refreshments after the service. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Houghton County Medical Care Facility for their excellent care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the John Lowther Scholarship Fund at Michigan Tech University, or to Portage Lake United Church-Houghton, or a charity of your choice. To view Johns obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes have been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of John Lowther, please visit Tribute Store