Robert Hislop McDowell, 79, husband of Judith McMahon McDowell of Charleston, SC, passed away on Monday, May 21, 2012. Bob was born on February 25, 1933 in Charleston, SC, son of the late Colonel Robert Hayden McDowell, USMC (Retired) and Clair Molony McDowell. He was a 1951 graduate of Palo Alto High School and a 1955 graduate of The Citadel, where he was captain of the football team. He served as a First Lieutenant in the USAF. Bob had over 40 years experience in the insurance industry. He held the CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter) professional designation and was an agency principal in Heffron Ingle McDowell & Cooper, which at the time of its acquisition in 1994 by Palmer & Cay, was the largest independent insurance agency in the state of South Carolina . As an expert witness, he testified in the South Carolina State Court and U.S. District Court . Bob retired in 2003 as Vice-Chairman of the Board, Palmer & Cay of South Carolina, Inc. He served as President of Charleston Board of Insurance Underwriters and SC Chapter CPCU Society; Member/Board of Directors of SC Independent Insurance Agents Association and was a CPCU and IIA Curriculum Instructor. Bob was active in the Charleston community serving as President, Rotary Club of Charleston; Vice President/ Treasurer, Charleston Trident Chamber of Commerce; Chairman, Charleston Area Chapter March of Dimes ; President, Porter Gaud Fathers Association; President, SC Irish Historical Society; An Honorary Life Member of the Hibernian Society; President, Quis Qui; President, New England Society. Member Board of Trustees: Bon-Secours – St Francis Hospital, Trident United Way; Saint Andrews Society; Charleston Ballet Theatre; and Charter Member Board of Directors of The Citadel Sports Hall of Fame. Bob loved his Citadel Bulldogs, golf and following his grandchildren’s sports and other activities. In addition to his wife of 25 years, he is survived by five children: Robert Hayden McDowell and his wife, Suzie, Frances Jenkins McDowell Bailey and her husband, Steve, William Nevil McDowell and his wife, Jill, all of Mount Pleasant, SC; Elizabeth Deanne Lucas, and Gerald Lawrence Lucas and his wife, Amy of Charleston, SC; thirteen Grandchildren: Frances Courtenay McDowell, Caroline Hislop McDowell, Robert Hislop McDowell, Mariah Housel McDowell, Steven Evander Bailey, Jr., Frances Jenkins Bailey, Helen Huette McDowell, Eliza Cahill McDowell, Mary Ellen Doscher, William Lucas Doscher, Basil Lawrence Lucas, Bailey Lancaster Lucas and Margaret Genevieve Lucas; one great grandchild: Abigail McDowell; two nephews: Robert Gaylen Hoak and William McDowell Hoak. He was predeceased by his sister, Ellen McDowell Hoak. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. McDowell are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM Thursday May 24, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 Hasell St., Charleston, SC. The Rite of Committal will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends this Wednesday afternoon between 4:00 and 7:00 PM at James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC . The Rosary will be recited at 5:00 pm at the funeral home. His guestbook may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements by James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation. 843-766-1365. The family requests that memorials be made to The Citadel Football Association, c/o The Citadel Football Office, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409. James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407 (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston Tags: 1955
Posted in:
Posted on:
Link to original obituary: