Many who came to remember Ken Cowan as he was laid to rest on Tuesday said they started as colleagues, but became friends."He became a mentor to me. He became a friend," said Hamid Band, a University of Nebraska Medical Center professor.Cowan became the director of what would become the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in 1999. He noticed the need for growth.University of Nebraska President and former UNCM Chancellor Jeff Gold said the cancer center wasn't much when Cowan started. Now, it's "a world class center."Gold said Cowan's death to cancer is another reason why Cowan's work will continue aggressively in Nebraska."We need to arm up and head into it with all the strength we possibly can," he said.Robert Lewis was on the search committee that helped hire Cowan. He said: "There was one clear person who stood out, and that was Ken."Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Director Joann Sweasy said Cowan took many under his wing. She often came to him with her thoughts as his successor."To follow in his footsteps is... hard to describe," Sweasy said. "Ken was an amazing researcher, amazing doctor, amazing person.""He would wander the halls. And he would stop in your office and just ask 'how are you?'" said Jennifer Black, a professor in the Eppley Institute. Cowan helped UNMC researcher Peggy Wheelock during her short battle with cancer. Wheelock's husband said: "He was there throughout her care. And he was there for me. After she died."
Many who came to remember Ken Cowan as he was laid to rest on Tuesday said they started as colleagues, but became friends.
"He became a mentor to me. He became a friend," said Hamid Band, a University of Nebraska Medical Center professor.
Cowan became the director of what would become the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in 1999. He noticed the need for growth.
University of Nebraska President and former UNCM Chancellor Jeff Gold said the cancer center wasn't much when Cowan started. Now, it's "a world class center."
Gold said Cowan's death to cancer is another reason why Cowan's work will continue aggressively in Nebraska.
"We need to arm up and head into it with all the strength we possibly can," he said.
Robert Lewis was on the search committee that helped hire Cowan. He said: "There was one clear person who stood out, and that was Ken."
Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Director Joann Sweasy said Cowan took many under his wing. She often came to him with her thoughts as his successor.
"To follow in his footsteps is... hard to describe," Sweasy said. "Ken was an amazing researcher, amazing doctor, amazing person."
"He would wander the halls. And he would stop in your office and just ask 'how are you?'" said Jennifer Black, a professor in the Eppley Institute.
Cowan helped UNMC researcher Peggy Wheelock during her short battle with cancer. Wheelock's husband said: "He was there throughout her care. And he was there for me. After she died."