forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => WW1 Aircraft Information/Questions => Topic started by: Jon Tabinor on January 24, 2023, 03:40:23 AM
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Hi all, I'm very very sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Rowan Broadbent 17 July 1953 — 21 January 2023 RIP
Rowan’s wife Sabine has asked me to let you know that he passed away peacefully while in palliative care in hospital, in Langeac, France on Saturday morning. Rowan finally succumbed to the effects of one of the cancers that he had long fought and valiantly resisted.
Rowan was the man behind and the driving force of Pheon Decals, a company which did much to raise the profile of World War I aviation modelling, providing meticulously researched and beautifully produced decals for the enthusiast. His enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, the period was second to none, and this shone through in his conversations, his informative instructions and advice, and in the depth of research that was always evident in his work. He was also a passionate ‘petrolhead’, an aficionado of inter-war aviation and admirer of Hawker’s fine fighting aircraft – particularly the Tempest.
Rowan had lived in France for nearly two decades with his French wife, Sabine. First in Brittany and then in The Auvergne where the two shared their house with two cats and a beautiful view over the valley of the river Allier and its surrounding hills.
Rowan’s first battle with cancer started in 2017 when a kidney tumour was discovered, and while this was successfully removed, some of it had already settled into his brain, prompting another battle, with radiotherapy helping stop the progress. In between these two struggles Rowan had also tackled a heart condition which resulted in a stent being fitted, and a bout of sepsis after a particularly nasty attack of diverticulitis, a condition he had lived with for many years. He bore all of this with a healthy disregard for sentimentality or self-pity. While he would have been the first to admit that the occasional ‘black dog’ would bring him down, he maintained an ability to live life as fully as his situation allowed.
He was loved and cared for by his beloved wife Sabine during all this, and was happy for every day extra he could spend with her, having long before decided that he could be at peace with whatever the fickle hand of fate threw at him next.
The radiotherapy for the brain tumour and subsequent drug treatments prevented him from producing more decals as he felt he was unable to draw, or design, to the standard he required. He undertook a course of immunotherapy despite the inherent risks and while initially successful, these manifested themselves reducing his mobility and affecting his lungs. Even so he still continued to maintain composure and a stoic spirit. In recent months he had finally started modelling again having regained some dexterity and was enjoying himself immensely when the brain cancer returned.
Fiercely passionate, and a true friend for whom nothing was ever too much trouble, I am proud to have known him and even prouder to call him my friend.
He is survived by Sabine, his daughter and grandchildren, all of whom he loved, and loved to be with.
For those wondering about Pheon Decals, Sabine would like you to know that she will accept orders again from mid-February 2023, to give her a chance to reply to the requests for stock or catalogues already received. All orders will be fulfilled in the order they have been, or will be, received.
Jon Tabinor. Assistant editor SAM magazine.
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I'm deeply saddened to hear about Rowan's passing and my heart hurts for Sabine today, Jon. He was a true gentleman and good friend to many, many people.
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Rowan was a much loved and sorely missed member of Romsey Modellers. We send our warmest hugs and embraces to Sabine and family.
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I wonder if I could ask you to pass on the news to them too please. He missed the Romsey chaps, I know.
Cheers
Jon
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Already done Jon.
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Please send my condolences to Sabine and the family. A sad loss of anoher of the great persons in our hobby that have passed all too soon !
Ed
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A true gentleman within our community and a man who will be sadly missed by all.
Be at peace, Rowan.
Bob
Blue skies my friend.
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Very SAD News indeed. Rowan was a Gentleman and a pleasure to know, even if only remotely,and do business with. My Sympathy to Sabine and His whole Family!
Rick Geisler/AKA RAGIII
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These are sad news, especially for Rowans wife and their children and grandchildren. My thoughts are with them. May they get through this.
Andreas
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I just hate this, I really do. He'll be sorely missed.
Same kind of cancer as took my father decades ago. :(
Warren
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Such sad news, another great member of our very special community has sadly passed on. I never met Rowan in person but we did correspond on a few occasions and I'm forever thankful for every word we exchanged ..... a true Gentleman and he will be missed.
Blue Skies my Friend, Blue Skies.
Lance
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I am so, so very sorry to read this. I never had the pleasure of dealing with Rowan or Sabine but I knew greatly of Pheon by reputation and this is heartbreaking news.
My sincerest condolences to Sabine and all who loved and knew Rowan. May you rest easy.
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Jon
My thanks for your post on the tragic passing of Rowan of Pheon.
Rowan and Sabine have been long-standing supporters of our Forum and Rowan's death is an enormous loss to us all.
On behalf of the Forum I send sincere condolences to Sabine.
I urge Forum members to continue supporting Pheon.
I was in contact with Sabine last year and aware of his health crisis. Unfortunately due to my own health decline I lost touch with Sabine so Jon's report was a tragic update.
WW1 modellers and our Forum members especially have lost one of our greatest assets and supporters.
Rest in peace Rowan. Now lets all support Sabine and keep the Pheon brand to the forefront.
Dave Wilson
Forum owner and administrator
Gold Coast
Australia
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My wife Sharon and I extend our heart-felt condolencies to Sabine and her family at the passing of Rowan. We both had the oppportunity to meet with Sabine and Rowan at both St. Malo during a wonderful, sunny afternoon several years ago, and at Telford more recently. I was most happy to purchase several Pheon decal sheets over the years. We offer our prayers for both Sabine and Rowan for God's guidance and protection to them both. RIP
Gary
Trackpad
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Sad news indeed, condolences to Sabine. Rest in peace Rowan.
Giuseppe
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Very sad news indeed. I am grateful that Rowan and Sabine are no longer struggling with this cancer. I wish Sabine peace in his absence and will continue to support their business in any way possible.
Rest in peace Rowan!
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This is very sad news! Rowan was SO important for our hobby!! My condolences for Sabine and family.
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Thank you Sabine for always being there for Rowan. A partner I'm sure he always cherished and deserved. Our community will miss his wonderful work and passion for a subject we all benefited from.
Steve
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So very sad.
His work was hugely appreciated, his loss will be deeply felt.
His contribution to our hobby was extraordinary, his design work and his research was of the highest standard. I used to marvel at the detail. And if he didn't know an answer - was it red? Was it black? - He'd give you both options.
His love of the subject matter and the history was obvious.
Immense gratitude.
Mark
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Very sad news indeed. Rowan will most certainly be sorely missed.
My sincere condolences to Sabine and the family.
Ian
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Terrible news.
I would like to pass on my heart felt condolences to Sabine and family.
Alan
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Such sad news. Rowan was a stalwart of our part of the hobby and he did much to raise the bar in terms of research and production quality for decal sets. His products were second to none.
His loss will be a huge hole to fill in our community.
My heartfelt condolences to Sabine, and the family.
Brad
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Although heard yesterday from another source I remain deeply saddened to hear this. I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Rowan on a number of occasions at model shows and thoroughly enjoyed his engaging and knowledgeable discussions on all subjects of shared interest. I consider myself amongst the fortunate to have a good number of his superb decal sheets which continue to inspire ongoing and future projects. My sincere condolences to Sabine and all of Rowan’s family. Rest in Peace Sir and blue skies.
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I can't say the one word that went through my head when I heard this news.
Condolences and strength to Sabine and the family.
Sandy
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I never had the pleasure of working with his decals, but I know he was a craftsman and that he was well respected and liked in this community.
My sincere condoleances for his family and loved ones.
Willem
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Very sad news. Rowan was always a friendly, helpful and well humoured man in my experience. His research and knowledge on our subject was of a very high level. In fact, my main reason for buying his decals was to have his excellent notes about the aircraft and pilots, My heart goes out to Sabine. He will be much missed.
Syd
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Rowan will be sorely missed - he was indeed a great researcher and produced wonderful decals for us. Condolences to his family.
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God Bless Rowan, Sabine and his family. A perfect gentleman and an important contributor to the history of WWI aviation history.