Richard Walker Dowell

Richard “Dick” Walker Dowell, 93, of Terre Haute, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 24th, 2025, at Hutsonwood Town Parke in Brazil, Indiana. Raised mainly by his paternal grandparents, George Andrew Dowell and Daisy Edwards Dowell of Spencer, he was born in Bloomington, on November 26th, 1931, to parents Ralph Edwards Dowell and Mary Walker Dowell. A long-time faculty member at Indiana State University, Dick was the beloved patriarch of a large, close-knit family that includes two daughters, Becky Noble (David) and Chris Rosselli; two sons, Richard Mace Dowell and John Landis Dowell (Mary); eleven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Delight Mace Dowell; one brother, Ralph Edwards Dowell, Jr.; and one sister, Georgeanna Taylor. On Friday, January 31st, 2025, at Roselawn Funeral Home (7500 North Clinton Street), a visitation will be held from 3PM until 6PM, and a memorial ceremony will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Unity Presbyterian Church, of which he was a long-time member, at the visitation and memorial service.

Known in his youth as “Spratts,” Dick graduated from Spencer High School in 1949 and excelled in basketball, school plays, and practical jokes. (Not knowing that he would become a college professor and American Literature scholar, he later regretted telling a high school teacher, “anything above a ‘C’ is wasted effort.”) After serving in the United States Navy for four years and playing basketball at a small - now defunct - college, New Mexico Western, Dick studied English at Indiana State Teachers’ College (now ISU), where he met Delight in a summer class. Completing an M.A. at the University of Colorado and a Ph.D. at Indiana University and serving proudly in the English Department at ISU from 1963 to 1993 would follow. Throughout his tenure at ISU, he was a well-respected faculty member, academician, instructor, and administrator. In the English department, he proved to be extremely reliable, social, humorous, humble, and helpful to younger colleagues. As a Professor Emeritus, he remained a fixture on campus, as he continued to plug away in his office at Root Hall, sustain friendships with faculty and staff, and attend lectures and dinners. In retirement, toasting with his wife in their own gazebo was a daily occurrence (weather permitting), and mixing it up with his buddies at Charlie’s Pub and Grill, Sonka Irish Pub, and ISU’s Faculty Club made it into his weekly routine.

In the last fifteen years or so of their marriage, Dick and Delight traveled widely, played a very active role in the lives of their children and grandchildren, and faithfully attended Washington Presbyterian Church, which became Unity Presbyterian Church. Known for his kindness, strong ethics, clever and dry wit, and amazing discipline, Dick became an avid runner, recording a mile or more in each of the fifty states and running every day for over fifteen years. Not only was he an accomplished runner, but he was also a noted Theodore Dreiser specialist, masterful poker player, steady golfer, sharp shooter of billiards and pool, conservative, enthusiastic storyteller, brilliant writer and editor, and die-hard Cubs fan. Above all, he was a loving and admired husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His last few years were highlighted by his continued devotion to his family, loyalty to his church, and a passion for prolifically reading non-fiction books; books about American presidents and various sports topics were among his favorites. His positive influence as a provider and hard worker with an unwavering moral compass and a giving spirit will long be manifested in the lives of family members and those who were fortunate to have known him.