Richard Colin McDowell
Passed: February 11, 2021
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Richard Colin McDowell
Passed: February 11, 2021
Obituary
Richard Colin McDowell, age 87 of Goodyear died February 11, 2021. He was born in 1933 at Swampscott Mass. His wife of 65 years, Eileen passed in 2017, was the love of his life and now are at peace in heaven together.
He is survived by his son Daniel McDowell of Hutto TX, daughters Kathleen Schmadeke of Goodyear AZ, Sandra Scovil of Wenatchee WA, Susan Gonyou of Sarnia Canada and his son Richard Scott McDowell of Kapolei HI. He leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Richard retired from the United States Coast Guard as a Warrant Officer after 20 years in Air Search and Rescue on the East and Gulf coasts, and the Hawaiian waters. After military retirement he opened a yacht brokerage and served as Commander of the Ewa Beach Yacht Club.
His love of sailing was cumulated in crossing the Pacific from San Diego to Hawaii in their sail boat – Thisildu. He then pursued a career in management for Motorola Communications in Honolulu and then San Diego as VP of Sales and Service. After retiring the third time they moved to Arizona in 1989. They soon purchased a home in Estrella Mountain Ranch where they were one of the first occupants, on the lake for over 30 years. He volunteered his time at the yacht club teaching young & old how to sail and sponsored his grandson’s Goodyear Scouting Troop on a sailing and camping trip from Long Beach to Catalina Island. Richard and Eileen enjoyed RV traveling and spending summers in the cool White Mountains.
He will be interned at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, with full military honors, in Punchbowl Crater, 2177 Puowaina Dr, Honolulu Hawaii along with Eileen.
Family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made to St. Mary’s Food Bank, www.firstfoodbank.org, or Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Fund, www.cgmahq.org.
6 responses to Richard Colin McDowell
Susan Gonyou (McDowell says:
February 17, 2021
Dad I will miss you and will always love you. You will be in my prayers with mom I have never known a man as strong and smart and loving as you Love Suzie-Q
Alison Kiefer says:
February 17, 2021
Will miss you and love you Grandpa!
David Kiefer says:
February 17, 2021
It was a pleasure to meet you sir.
Carl & Judy Wargula says:
February 17, 2021
We were fortunate to meet Dick and Eileen upon moving to Estrella Mountain Ranch in 1990. They were the “ambassadors” of our then small community. Being that we had lakes to enjoy, and with Dick’s experience and guidance, he convinced the Board to establish the Estrella Mountain Ranch Yacht Club. It is flourishing to this day. I spent many hours “socializing” with him and the crew.
Dick always had a story or joke to tell. He was an interesting and thoughtful guy. We enjoyed the times with him and Eileen.
We will miss him and wish him well on his travels back to his home in Hawaii.
Lynette McDowell says:
February 18, 2021
You were the best father-in -law a girl could ask for. Always ready to give advice when asked and quick with a story or silly, witty comeback. You will be missed, but I know you will no longer be lonely since you’re now reunited with your “bride”. Love you, Lynette