Became a member of Society of Mural Painters in 1943, taught mural painting at Royal College of Art for 10 years from 1948 and received a Ford Foundation Grant to visit America in 1959. From 1959–80 was professor of fine art at Newcastle University. In 1948 illustrated A Prospect of Wales. Murals completed include those for Barclay School, Stevenage, 1946, RMS Orsova and Iberia, 1954, and British Pavilion at Brussels International Exhibition in 1958. Tate Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum and WAC are among many public owners of his work. Rowntree’s pictures reflect the genial and witty nature of the artist, usually being landscapes and townscapes in which the elements have a toy-like neatness and familiar notations are employed. Did some abstract work. Sometimes just signed work K R. Lived at Corbridge, Northumberland.