Don Lowell

1928 - 2011

Don Lowell of Fairbanks passed away Dec. 18, 2011. He had been winning his battle against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis for the past eight years but unfortunately was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year. Don was born Oct. 26, 1928, and raised in Hoquiam, Wash. He served in the Washington State Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Don came to Seward in February 1950, working for radio station KIBH as manager and engineer and in 1957 installed the first TV translator in Seward. He became active in politics and government, serving as city council member and volunteer for Civil Defense. In 1961 he was appointed by Gov. Bill Egan as the state director of the Alaska Disaster Office. Don developed the state's emergency response system and was a central figure in the rebuilding process when the 1964 Good Friday earthquake hit Southcentral Alaska.
After the 1967 Fairbanks flood, Don was hired as an appraiser for the Small Business Administration; he later was appointed branch manager and served until 1970. In 1971 Don was reappointed by Gov. Egan to head the state's emergency response office in Anchorage.
In 1975 Don returned to Fairbanks and became a real estate broker and developer. Don briefly served as director of maintenance and operations for the Department of Transportation under Gov. Steve Cowper and special assistant under Gov. Tony Knowles. In 1988 Don was elected to serve on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly.
Don was a staunch Democrat and active in the Democratic Party throughout his life. He was a member of the Rail Safety & Development Group, the Alaskan Russian Center, American Legion, Elks Club and the Quiet Birdman. Don had a zest for life; he kept extremely busy and always had a "project in the works." He loved flying, running his riverboat, hunting and camping. He especially enjoyed dip netting for salmon at Chitina with his good friend Steve Gough. Despite his wife's urging, Don refused to grow up and at age 82 was still riding his snowmachine with his favorite group, the Fairbanks Snow Travelers.
Don requested that no formal memorial service be held for him, but would like his friends and family to raise a toast to his memory. Don is survived by his wife of 33 years, Louise; his daughter, Kim Kile; grandchildren, Madison and Logan Kile of Palmer; his sister, Pat (Don) Skolrood of McCleary, Wash.; his brother Edwin (Shirley) Bochenski of Olympia, Wash.; his sister-in-law, Linda Bredlie of Fairbanks; brother-in-law, Richard (Diane) Thomas of Portland, Ore.; sister-in-law, Ginger (Merle) Stewart of Portland, Ore.; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends throughout Alaska.
Arrangements are entrusted to Chapel of Chimes.