The University of the West Indies, Mona has learnt with regret of the passing of Mr.  Richard Collintine Rowe, Senior Library Attendant at the Main Library, on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

Mr. Rowe joined the UWI Library staff at Mona as a temporary Library Attendant on January 26, 1984.  His temporary employment was extended several times, and such was his performance that Mr. Rowe gained permanent employment in June 1984.

Richard Rowe continually upgraded his skills by attending several training courses including Small Business Management, Supervisory Management, and Introduction to Micro-computers for Business Application at the School of Continuing Studies, and graduating with a Certificate of Merit from each course.  He also participated in IT programmes and Customer Service training conducted by this University, and up to the time of his passing he was pursuing a course at the University of Technology.  Mr. Rowe was also an accomplished tailor, baker and chef.

Mr. Rowe was an active member of the University, playing on the University’s Junior Cup Team and intra-University matches.  He also participated in the University’s Inter-Campus games.

In 1998 Mr. Rowe agreed to assist with the duties of the Chief Attendant, preparing over-time claims and attendance report, and ensuring that schedules are adhered to at the Porters Desk, RBC and the security check point.  Added to this was the responsibility of supervising eighteen Student Assistants who worked at the Baggage Counter.  In this regard, the then Deputy Librarian recommended him as being “very responsible and willing to go the extra mile to get things done.” He was appointed Senior Library Attendant effective September 1999, a position he held up till the time of his death.

Mr. Rowe served the Library well and will certainly be missed by staff, student assistants, the wider student body, other users of the Library, and his friends in several departments of the University.
May his soul rest in peace.