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Monahan Funeral Home - Gettysburg

125 Carlisle Street

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Peter McDowell Obituary

Name: Visitation for Peter McDowell
Start: 2021-11-27T11:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-11-27T13:00:00.000Z
Location: Baker-Gagne Funeral Home - Wolfeboro

Peter B. McDowell passed away on Nov. 21, 2021 at the age of 79. Pete was at home surrounded by loved ones who continue to admire and revel in his strength and determination. His friends and family are aware of his faithful daily exercise routine which he continued up until his illness which worsened in October. People may not know that his daily cycling involved stopping to talk to neighbors, local policemen, and even the homeless camps in Port Charlotte. His consistency had people looking forward to his daily visits, either with conversation or just a wave as he pedaled onward. Pete grew up outside of Philadelphia and graduated from Gettysburg College in 1965. After earning his master's degree at Western Maryland College he worked in the Carroll County school system for 30 years. Pete cherished building relationships with young people as a coach, teacher, counselor and principal. Pete ultimately ended his career in the school system as Director of Secondary Schools. Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Johnson McDowell, and his parents, Alf and Frankie McDowell. He is survived by his wife, Susan Doney McDowell of Alton, NH. In addition to his wife, Pete is survived by his daughter, Jane, and her husband, Keith Smith of Winter Garden, FL, and their children, Brennan and Stephanie Smith, and Parker; his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Barbara McDowell of Bozeman, MT. and their children, Morgan, Matthew and Brooke; and his daughter Susan, son-in-law Ben Scott, and their son Sam of Fort Collins, CO; his sisters Susan Heppenstall, Jude Austin and Polly McDowell; his step-daughter Jamie Doney of Baltimore, MD, and his step-grandchildren Jasmin, Jaden, Justin and Isabel; and 16 nieces and nephews who each have their own special "Pete memories". Visitation will be held at Monahan Funeral Home, 125 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 11am-1pm. Memorial service to follow at 1pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation payable to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health and send your check to Office of Development & Alumni Relations, Dartmouth-Hitchcock/Geisel School of Medicine, One Medical Center Drive (HB 7070), Lebanon, NH 03756. You can also donate online at https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/donate. To direct gifts to Neurology, mention Fund: 2-22668, Neurology Research.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Carroll County Times on Nov. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter McDowell

18 Entries

Rick Gagne & Staff

November 24, 2021

Offering our deepest condolences at this difficult time.

Susan Hooper

December 2, 2021

McDowell family
Peter B, a great person, administrator,leader,professional,FRIEND,and an inspiration to all that knew him. As a former teacher and friend at WHS, their are so many fond memories. He would always drop you a note to tell you he appreciated what you did for WHS. Not only did he care for the staff but he took time to let the students know that he was as human as they were. When he made important decision, he would ask some staff members to see what they thought before he made a decision. Pete lead by example. He was never too good to come in a building and pick up a piece of trash . He always encouraged you to do your best and I thank him for that. Ever spring and fall he would give me a call when he was in Westminster and we would eat at the Chinese restaurant. Of course it was always my turn to buy! My deepest sympathy goes out to the McDowell family. He will be missed!

George Harman

November 29, 2021

My deepest sympathy to the McDowell family. Pete was a great guy, friend, and an excellent High School principal. I was always glad to see and talk with him.

Tyler mott

November 29, 2021

thank you for filling my hart and everyone els

Janice Fringer Coffey

November 26, 2021

"Peter B. McDowell" was my favorite school principal ever. He was always professional, positive, warm, and welcoming. He nicknamed me "smiley" and always smiled back at me. I´m certain he will leave a huge hole in your family and his circle of friends. My sincerest condolences to the entire family.

Bill Hyde

November 26, 2021

Pete was a good friend that I held in the highest regard. We spent many hours on our bikes training for road races and just enjoying the beautiful country side and back roads of the county. It seemed he was always at the top of the longest hills waiting (not so patiently) for me to catch up.

Debra Bowman

November 26, 2021

I can say he was the best administrator I ever worked with at WHS. His door was always opened to discuss student, parent or department issues. Pete was very wise in the way he approached education for all students and not just those headed to college. His leadership made me better at my job. My sympathy to his family.

NEIL EGE

November 26, 2021

He was a wonderful Principal at WHS. He will be missed. There is a new shining star in Heaven.

Mary Cashdollar

November 26, 2021

Jim and I are sad to hear of Pete's death and send sincere sympathy to his entire family. I have fond memories of Pete at WHS, and always appreciated his kindness and encouragement. May his family hold onto happy memories and may he rest in peace.

JAMES CASHDOLLAR

November 26, 2021

Pete was the epitome of what a principal should be. As a Vice Principal, Principal, and Director of Secondary Schools, Pete was the best example of what the position required. As Principal of WHS Pete not only knew all the staff but made efforts to talk with them daily. He knew the names of every staff member, from teacher to custodian to cafeteria worker. He led by example and was in the hallways at every class change greeting students and staff, and picking up trash as an example to students that all work together in our school. Pete knew almost every student by name and was always kind to each of them. As supervisor of Evening High School and Adult Ed classes, I often saw Pete during those night hours preparing for the next day. He set the example for what every Principal should aspire to be. It was an honor to have known him. Condolences to his family.

Pat Kempf

November 25, 2021

My deepest sympathies to Pete´s family. I remember fondly my time as both a teacher and counselor at Westminster HS with Pete as my first and best principal there. He was a warm , welcoming person who was beloved by staff and students alike. He was one of the best type of leaders, ones who lead by example. He will be missed.

Lisa Combs-Bates

November 25, 2021

So sad to hear of Mr. McDowell´s passing. He was my principal at Westminster High School. He was always a nice man and always treated the students with fairness and grace. Always had a smile on his face when I walked into school everyday. Sending prayers to his family. RIP Mr. McDowell...... god speed..... Class of 87 will always remember you.

Wanda Shaeffer

November 24, 2021

As a neighbor and also a leader he was a true to all the people he met. Prayers to the family. May his spirit live in your hearts

Linda Wheeler

November 24, 2021

It is with great sadness that I learned of Pete's passing. As a former teacher at Westminster High School, I admired his leadership and his professionalism. My sincere sympathies to his family.

Robin Grandel

November 24, 2021

So many times in your office....so much trouble I would get into and you were always fair and treated my mom with respect. I have fond memories of you. Thank you and you were too young to leave this world.

Norman R. Jones

November 24, 2021

My sincere condolences to the family. Mr. McDowell was my my vice principal and he always took the time to talk to you. He was a remarkable person. God Speed sir.

Robert W. Klohr

November 24, 2021

Dear Jane, Michael and Susan,
I was so saddened to learn of your loss of your Dad. I have such fond memories of him when we were neighbors on Locust and Willow Avenues. He and I shared a love of bicycle riding even though our riding styles were so different. He went all out with me following at a more leisurely pace. Pete made a positive impact on everyone with whom he came in contact and the Westminster community at large. I know he will be missed and I extend to you my sincere condolences.

Nancy Miller

November 23, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Pete was an inspiration to all those that knew him. As a teacher who worked with him, he was an awesome and compassionate leader of Westminster High School..May you find comfort in the wonderful memories of him.

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