Robert "Bob" Edmond Dowd

Robert “Bob” Edmond Dowd, 87, of North Manchester, Indiana, passed away peacefully at 4:12pm on Friday, March 11, 2022, at Timbercrest Senior Living Center in North Manchester, Indiana. Born in Laporte, Indiana on March 28, 1934, Bob was the son of Helen Louise (McCarty) and Edmond James Dowd. Growing to 6’4’’ and eventually moving to Chicago, he learned how to play basketball, quickly becoming a star player at his high school in Kansas City. The Dowd’s moved to Kansas City, Mo., where Bob would graduate from Central High School in 1951. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1951-1955 as an aviation electrician mate. Strong-willed with a relentless work ethic, he was eventually promoted to Petty Officer Second Class. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Bob was accepted into the University of Kansas to study journalism. As an avid reader of history and political affairs, Bob excelled as a journalism major. It comes as no surprise, however, to those who knew his tenacious spirit, that he was merely one paper away from finishing his degree and did not finish due to a disagreement over an assignment with a professor.

Bob met the love of his life, Lois (Gerhart), and they were married on January 25, 1957. Bob was employed at Reynolds Metals for 30 years, holding a variety of positions in administration, eventually being promoted to a production facility manager. During his time with Reynolds, the Dowd family, with three children in tow, relocated frequently, living in Kansas City, Mo., Wichita, Ks, Dallas, Texas, Richmond, Va., Arlington Heights, Ill., Circleville, Ohio, and Warsaw, Indiana. After retirement from Reynolds, his love of lifelong learning turned to a passion for healthcare administration. He was an administrator at Kings Grant Retirement Community in Richmond, Va. His success at Kings Grant afforded him several other opportunities as a nursing home administrator. Three careers and eight moves later, Bob and Lois finally settled in Waynesboro, Va., where they enjoyed the beauty of the Virginia Appalachian Mountains. In 2008, they moved to Timbercrest Senior Living Community in North Manchester, Indiana where they would spend 14 more wonderful years together.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman-and Lois was Bob’s rock. They loved traveling to Europe, particularly Spain and England, and Bob would often talk fondly of the trip they took with granddaughter, Adriel. Singing in the church choir, they developed a love of choral music. He also enjoyed pheasant hunting with his son, Bill.

Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lois (Gerhart); their three children, Barbara J. (Late Edward) Adams of Allentown, Pa., Laura M. Chipman of San Antonio, Texas, and William (Vicki) of Chester, SC. Bob has seven grandchildren, Adriel Adams, Jordan (Joleyce) Adams, Bryant M. Chipman Jr., Aaron M. Chipman, Christina M. (Timothy Jr.) Eddy, Dallas Erwin, and Dakota Erwin. Bob is lovingly remembered by his six great grandchildren; his sisters, Marcia (Carl) Quiesert and Virginia Elliot; brother-in-law, Robert (Elizabeth) Gerhart; and several nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Kathleen Dilley.

Memorial Service is 4:00pm on Friday, March 18, 2022 at Timbercrest Senior Living Community, in the chapel, 2201 East St., North Manchester, Indiana. Chaplain Laura Stone officiating.