James H Dowling

James H. Dowling, 90, of Hobe Sound, Florida passed away peacefully on December 15, 2021, surrounded by family. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Julie Anne (Pastor) Dowling and his two brothers Robert and Joseph Dowling.

Jim, as his friends knew him, was born on October 20, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. He was a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the recipient of the Li Foundation Fellowship. He served in the Marine Corps from 1952-55 and in 1995 received the John H. Russell Leadership Award from Marine Corps Command.

Jim spent 34 years with the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller, playing a leading role in establishing the company as a major counseling and communications firm capable of serving world class corporations and institutions on a global level.

Jim joined Burson-Marsteller in 1964, after serving as a writer and editor for the United Press, the Associated Press, and Newsweek magazine, as well as working for Mobil Corporation’s public relations department. After assignments in New York and Chicago, he was named president of U.S. operations in 1975, worldwide operations in 1983, chief executive in 1988, chairman in 1992 and chairman emeritus in 1994. On his retirement in 1998, Burson-Marsteller consisted of a global staff of 2500 people in some 60 offices worldwide.

As Chief Executive Officer from 1988 until 1992, Jim’s overriding objective was shaping Burson-Marsteller into a seamless global enterprise operating to a single standard of excellence. He authored the firm’s “Vision and Values” statement, which codified the Burson-Marsteller culture. His words, “we prize the individual, but celebrate the team,” continue to underpin its working environment to this day.

Jim’s leadership in the handling of the Chicago Tylenol poisonings for Johnson & Johnson in September 1982 has been referred to as the "gold standard" for crisis management. In 1983, Jim and Burson-Marsteller were awarded the Silver Anvil for "out-of-the-ordinary crisis management" for its work with Johnson & Johnson.

Jim was also active in business and civic affairs. He served on the Executive Committee of President Ronald Reagan’s Private Sector Survey on Cost Controls in the Federal Government (Grace Commission), as a trustee of the Hudson Institute, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and as a partner in the New York City Partnership.

An avid golfer, Jim and Anne enjoyed many years at their beloved Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, Illinois, and later in life at Loblolly Pines in Hobe Sound, Florida.

Jim is survived by his three children James H. Dowling Jr. of New Orleans and his wife Linda Erdman, and his children Gregory and Maximilian, Kenneth Dowling and his wife Lauren of Breckenridge, Colorado and their children Meghan and Jamie, and Tracy Dufault and her husband Fred and their children Kenny and Julianna.

A private service for family and close friends will be held on February 5, 2022 at Lake Lawn Funeral Home in Metarie, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes gifts to the Missouri School of Journalism to celebrate the legacy of James Dowling. Checks can be made out to the University of Missouri and sent to the Missouri School of Journalism, 103 Neff Hall, Columbia MO 65211. Please note the gift is in memory of James Dowling. For questions, call 573-882-0334.