Donald W. Dowd
Professor Emeritus, Villanova Law School

HAVERFORD, PA - Donald W. Dowd of Haverford, Pennsylvania died on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

A Professor of Law for 38 years, Professor Dowd graduated from Lowell High School in 1947, then attended Harvard College, where he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and attended the University of Rome (Italy).

Upon graduation from Harvard College in 1951, he entered the Harvard Law School. After graduation from the Law School in 1954, he practiced law in New York City. He spent time in the firm's London office as well. While in New York, Attorney Dowd volunteered with gang youth in some of New York's toughest neighborhoods.

In 1961, Attorney Dowd was hired as a Professor of Law at Villanova University Law School in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Villanova Law was in its early years and Professor Dowd was one of the first faculty members that went on to build a significant reputation for Villanova as one of America's finest law schools. Professor Dowd also taught a year on exchange at Nottingham University (England) during his tenure at Villanova.

As a teacher, Professor Dowd developed a reputation in Criminal Law, Corrections, International Law and Admiralty. The author of numerous Law Review articles, Professor Dowd was a much sought-after speaker around the country until his retirement in 1999.

Villanova annually awards to one graduating law student the Donald W. Dowd Award for Service, given each year to the student who has done the most community service. In 2009, the University dedicated the Donald W. Dowd Reading Room in its new law library.

Professor Dowd was the son of Thomas J. Dowd and Marian (Ready) Dowd. Two sisters predeceased him: Shirley Callahan and his twin sister, Doris Talty. He leaves six nieces and nephews: Stephen J. Callahan of Lowell, Francis T. Talty and his wife Patricia Sullivan Talty of Lowell, Susan J. Callahan of Lowell, Paula Graffius and her husband Daniel, of Turners Falls, Mass., Carolyn Talty and her husband Audley Robinson of Amherst, Mass., Shelagh Jan Callahan and her husband Steve of Nashua, NH. He was predeceased by a nephew, John Dowd Talty.

He was the beloved great uncle, great grand uncle and godfather of many. He also leaves a close circle of dear friends in Pennsylvania who were his family there.

DOWD - YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 7 P.M. ON MONDAY. ON TUESDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 30 GRAFTON ST, LOWELL AT 11 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIAL DONATIONS IN HIS NAME MAY BE MADE TO: DEFENDER ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA, 1441 SANSOM STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102. PLEASE VISIT WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AN E-CONDOLENCE.

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Published by Lowell Sun from Mar. 10 to Mar. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Dowd

Sponsored by lowellsun.com.

9 Entries

alaine grbach

March 4, 2019

I think about Professor Dowd often. He was my favorite Professor, and I must have been in classes in the second year of his teaching career.

ALAINE LUCHESKE-GRBACH

August 20, 2018

I just read in the Villanova Alumni Bulletin that Professor Dowd passed away this year. I graduated from Villanova Law in 1985. Professor Dowd was the BEST part of my Villanova experience. 30 years away from Law School, I now understand why Professor Dowd was so special. He was brilliant, of course, and interesting. But now I realized that he not only taught "The Law", whatever that is, but also the practical aspects of applying the law to a future law career. I still know what a Sight Draft Against Bill of Lading is, even though I have never had to draft one. I held two jobs going to Law School, and lived at home. I was not the typical student. But Professor Dowd's classes were just magical to me, and were honestly what made my law experience worth the price of the ticket (and tolerable). I hope Professor Dowd's nieces and nephews read this, and understand how much their Uncle meant to me professionally. I am so sorry for your loss.

Richard Rosendall

March 21, 2018

I met Don Dowd in 1974 when as a freshman I joined the Villanova Publications Board, on which Don served as a faculty rep, and which advised the VP for Student Life. We were friends ever after. He introduced me to fine music, dining, films, and literature. Best of all was his conversation, full of insight, wisdom, and good humor. As his body began failing him in recent years, his mind remained as sharp as ever. I remember once, perhaps forty years ago, walking around the Valley Forge battlefield together, singing old songs with his tenor and my bass. His voice, his laughter, his mentorship, and his friendship are indelible. My condolences to all the others he leaves behind.

March 19, 2018

Professor Dowd was my academic adviser in my first year at Villanova. I was indeed a challenge! I especially enjoyed his upper-division courses in Constitutional law where he brought the subject to life. My condolences and thoughts are with his family.

Daniel J. D'Alesio Jr., CAPT, JAGC, USN (Retired)

Class of 1973

Dave Gillies

March 15, 2018

March 10, 2018
I will miss his friendship, conversation,and copious intellect. Before Google, when I had a question on art, music, literature, history... I asked Don. He was an important part of my life for over 45 years.

Dave Gillies, Philadelphia

Joyce Martin

March 13, 2018

To the Callahan and Talty families; let me extend my thoughts and prayers on the loss of Uncle Donald. I will forever remember my senior class trip with Sue Callahan, to Uncle Donald's house. He was so gracious to us. We were part of the first Earth Day rally,visited historic Philly and Villanova,saw the movie "Deliverance" and rode back to Lowell in his new 1970 Mustang.

Thank you Uncle Donald. Rest in peace.

Matthew Brennan

March 12, 2018

I'll remember Prof. Dowd's intellect and conversation, dinners and discussion at restaurant Primavera on the Mainline and visits to his office at the Villanova Law School across the way from my room at St. Mary's Dormitory. But I will never forget the day Prof. Dowd stepped off the train at my little town Svaty Martin in the mountains of the Slovak Republic with impaired vision in one eye. My own parents didn't make it to Slovak Republic but Prof. Dowd made it a point to travel north on the train from a law conference in Budapest to visit me during my Peace Corps service. He had a wonderful curiosity for world and culture. One of a kind.

March 12, 2018

R.I.P. Donald, Our family has fond memories of your visit's to Prince Edward Island and spending time with your Canadian cousins on the farm in South Melville. You will always be remembered by us.

John, Shelley, Lily and Ethan Flood

March 10, 2018

I will miss his friendship, conversation,and copious intellect. Before Google, when I had a question on art, music, literature, history... I asked Don.

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