Richard Dowell

Richard David Dowell, 77, of Adel Iowa passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 15th, 2024 at the Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines, Iowa from pancreatic cancer. 

Richard was a man with a huge personality, a huge heart, and an enormously generous spirit. Richard had unending passion for life, an endless thirst for knowledge, and an equally endless passion to share knowledge with everyone he knew. Richard's outlandish sense of humor and encyclopedic knowledge of funny movie quotes was an ever-present part of knowing him and laughing with him. Richard's Christian faith sustained him and was an integral part of who he was as a man, and he shared his faith with many friends in his community. Richard will be greatly missed by all those who loved him. 

Richard loved music, most especially classical, and he enjoyed listening to it through the best - and coolest - stereo equipment. He loved movies of all kinds, and he was a super enthusiastic supporter of Cal Bears football, San Francisco Giants baseball, and especially his San Francisco 49ers. He spent many cold afternoons at Candlestick Park with his nephew and stepdaughter, cheering for the likes of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Dwight Clark.

Born: 25 May 1947 at the University of California San Francisco Hospital to Richard Henry Dowell and Melba Dowell (nee Calderon).

The Dowell family moved from San Francisco to Redwood City, California in 1952, where Richard attended elementary and middle school, graduating from Sequoia High School in Redwood City in 1965. He graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 1978 with a degree in Political Economies of Industrial Societies. 

Richard worked throughout the country in his career as a computer specialist, his work taking him to a number of states including: California, Illinois, Alabama, and Iowa. Richard served his country in the United States Navy in both active duty status and in the Navy reserves from 1968-1988, retiring honorably in the Army Reserves in 1990, after twenty years of service to the United States Military.

Richard was married to Norma Jean McNeill in 1975. After they divorced, he remained a loving Stepdad to Jean's daughter Deborah for the remainder of his life.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother Melba Dowell, his father Richard Dowell, and brother Stephen Dowell. 

Richard is survived by: brothers John Dowell and Kenneth Dowell; Step-Daughter Deborah Westwood; Six nephews John Dowell, Jr., James Dowell, Shane Dowell, Thomas Dowell, Alexander Dowell, and Christian Dowell.

He donated his body to science research and there will be a graveside service at Iowa Veterans Cemetery on 10/23 at 11am with full honors.