Charles McDowell Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 10, 2007.

Charles T. McDowell, 85, a retired U.S. Army colonel and a retired University of Texas at Arlington professor, passed away Sunday, July 8, 2007.
Memorial service: 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church, Arlington. Graveside service: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Moore Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Arlington Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dr. McDowell to the Center for Post Soviet and East European Studies at UT-Arlington, Office of Development, Box 19198, 701 S. Nedderman Drive, R421B, Arlington, Texas 76019-0198, 817-272-5276, www.uta.edu/giving.
When asked to describe Charles McDowell, Gen. W.C. Westmoreland wrote that he was "one of the few outstanding officers that I know." This was an apt description for a gallant, warm-hearted and highly accomplished man who touched uncountable lives. During his 85 years, Dr. McDowell would meet six U.S. presidents, travel to Russia over 55 times and positively influence hundreds of students, colleagues, and friends.
Professor McDowell was born Nov. 23, 1921, to Jesse Calvin McDowell and Alva Lange in Twin Falls, Idaho. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of science, he earned a master of arts at Columbia University and a Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. He was also a graduate of the Defense Language Institute, Armor Advanced Officer Course, Command and General Staff College, various intelligence courses and a two-year Soviet-East European advanced foreign area studies program at the doctoral level.
After receiving his commission, Col. McDowell fought in the European theater of World War II, where his early assignments ranged from platoon leader to battalion commander. A master parachutist, he jumped behind enemy lines as part of Operation Market Garden. At the conclusion of the war in Europe, Col. McDowell served in the occupational forces in Japan, where his staff assignments included commandant and director of the Tokyo Army College and Information and Education Officer for the Eighth U.S. Army.
Later, he was a professor of Russian language, history, economics, geography and political science and chief of the research division for a classified joint military/civilian intelligence agency and an instructor at the Command and General Staff College in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Hawaii. He also served as professor of military science at the University of Texas at Arlington, then Arlington State College.
Prior to his retirement, Col. McDowell served the Joint Chiefs of Staff as intelligence officer of the airborne command post. In that role, which often involved flying with the president of the United States, Col. McDowell was the custodian of the "nuclear football." In addition to the awards typical for World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster and Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
After playing a key role in the establishment of the Job Corps program, McDowell was invited to return to the University of Texas at Arlington, where he served consecutively as assistant to President Jack Woolf and dean of student life. There, he was professor, chairman of the Department of Modern Languages and director of the Center for Post-Soviet and East European Studies, which he founded. At UTA, he was the first chairman of the Faculty Senate (subsequently re-elected six times) and sponsor of Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Chi Honor Society, the Soviet and East European Club and the Student Congress. On multiple occasions, he was selected as an Outstanding Educator of America, UTA Outstanding Teacher and the recipient of the UTA Chancellor’s Council Award for Outstanding Teaching. In 2000, Dr. McDowell was inducted into the UTA Military Science Hall of Honor.
Throughout the course of his life, Dr. McDowell made numerous TV and radio appearances concerning Russia, Eastern Europe and the People's Republic of China. He was the author or co-author of numerous book reviews, articles, documents and books, including classified government materials concerning the Soviet Union. He was chief translator or editor on many projects conducting technical, industrial and scientific translation from English to Russian and Russian to English.
He was the first Eagle Scout in San Saba County, a lifelong leader in the Boy Scouts of America and a 41-year member of the Arlington Kiwanis Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Francis McDowell, and his daughter, Cynthia Kathleen Stewart.
Survivors: Son, Charles Patrick McDowell; and grandchildren, Charles Cale McDowell and Angela Kathleen McDowell. he will also be missed by his in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

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July 4, 2021

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Klaus Magnus

Still not forgotten, 14 years after his death and 50 years after we met.

August 2, 2007

Klaus A. Magnus

I wish to express my sympathy to Dr. McDowell's family. As a German graduate student majoring in history I did some tutoring in the Foreign Languages Dept. at UTA in 1970/71 where I met Prof. Charles McDowell. I still remember the interesting talks we had about the Soviet Union and cold war politics. I will never forget him.

July 28, 2007

Cecil Brewer

The last and best of my mentors has now passed. His encouragement, direction, actions, and thoughtfulness, (even his tempered wry humor) always seemed to be based on the Boy Scout Oath and Law. Charles embodied the phrase, “many are called but few are chosen.” He was chosen to serve many times and did so with grace under pressure at times. He touched many and all came away better for it. He was one who shaped my life. He taught, I learned, we joked, we traveled, we poked the bear a few times and we helped a few others along the way. Eagle Scouts do that. “Polkovnik” McDowell all of us who knew you, we miss you.

July 20, 2007

Lisa McCain McCulloch

I was out of town when Charles died. I am so sad. We were almost related when Kathy and my brother, Steve, dated so long. Mother treasured her memories of traveling with Charles to China and the Soviet Union. Seems to me there was a great story about getting lost in Russia and ending up at some bar . . . We will miss this gentle giant.

July 17, 2007

Janie Spencer

It was such a pleasure to have
Charles as my Boy Scout Woodbadge Counselor in 1984-85. He was very supportive and had such wonderful insights to share during this adult leadership training.

July 14, 2007

Marisue Piyakhun

I went to Russia with Col. McDowell back in 1973. It was a trip that changed my life. I will always remember him with love and affection.

July 13, 2007

Don & Dorothy Berry

We had the pleasure of touring China in 1984 & 1987 with Charles McDowell's groups. We experienced sights that had not been opened to Western tour groups prior to his. We had tours to Europe with other groups but his groups were unique.

July 11, 2007

Barbara Sellers

I traveled to the USSR and eastern Europe with Col. McDowell's study group from UTA. I never felt so safe.

July 10, 2007

Debbie Patterson

Dr McDowell was an absolutely beautiful gift to all of those he came in contact with... his knowledge, his wit, his willingness to spend time with each of us. Not only an outstanding teacher but a great human being. I had the pleasure of taking several classes from him in the early 90's and have never forgotten the many opportunities he provided to our classes. Lunch with the then Vice President...Dan Quayle, the encouragement to take Russian translation without having set foot in a russian language class. He was right it was a breeze. A great teacher and encourager and will be missed by all. Thanks.

July 10, 2007

Paul McDowell

I've seen Uncle Chuck pull off some honest to God miracles in his time. Helping me graduate, getting us out of Romania...the list goes on. He was a great soldier, a great professor, and a great man. We will all sorely miss him.

July 10, 2007

Judy Billard

I had Prof McDowell for two classes at UTA in 1984-1985. He was one of the best and most interesting and memorable teachers I had in 6 years of college. I have never forgotten him. I had the pleasure of talking with him again at an orientation when my son started school at UTA a few years ago. He still had a lively and warm persona. He was such a special man. He had a unique gift for inspiring his students and making every moment in class interesting. He will be missed yet remembered by all his former students who were so fortunate to be in his classes. I still tell people about him and his classes even after all these years.

July 10, 2007

Rosemary Parker

I wish to express my sympathy to Dr. McDowell's family. Although I did not know him or his family, I sincerely appreciate his life's work, dedication and contribution, not only to our country, but to the world. God bless you, God bless America and let there be peace on earth.

July 10, 2007

Rob Wilson

CT was one of the greatest men of the "Geatest Generation of Americans".

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