Russell A. Dow

Dow, Russell A. 66 Sept. 10, 1948 Oct. 15, 2014 Dr. Russell A. Dow of Portland, passed away peacefully Oct. 15, 2014, at his summer lake home in Bowerbank, Maine. He is survived by his loving wife, Debbi Dow; daughter, Elizabeth Dow Borchers of Salado, Texas; son, Alex Dow of Lafayette, Ind.; mother, Irene Fowler Dow of Brunswick, Maine; brothers, Jim Dow of Brunswick, Ken Dow of Acton, Mass., and Bob Dow of Sterling, Mass. His loving extended family includes Jennifer Seil, Laura Wood, Stephanie Hamilton and Ryan Hummel, all of the Pacific Northwest; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Russell E. Dow; and brother, Tom Dow. Russ was born Sept. 10, 1948, in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, and moved to Acton as a young boy. During his life he remained proud of his Maine heritage, returning every year to the lake of his childhood summers to enjoy the natural beauty, people and summer Maine "camp" life style. He loved nature, being outdoors and fishing, and became a skilled fly fisherman and boater. Russ was a happy and gregarious person, easily forming lasting friendships throughout his life. He was raised to place the importance of his family first, demonstrating the model for a kind and loving son, father and husband. An adventurer at heart, in 1969, Russ and his brother, Jim, spent the summer together backpacking through Europe while they made their way through Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark, before completing their journey in England. It was this intellectual curiosity and pioneering spirit that nurtured his inherent gifts, enabling him to become one of Portland's finest surgeons. Russ attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in 1970. He attended Tufts University School of Medicine, graduating in 1974. He did his OB/GYN residency at OHSU in Portland, where he stayed to raise a family and establish his practice. Dr. Russell A. Dow has had an exhilarating career spanning over 35 years delivering 4,500 babies and performing thousands of surgeries. He was a clinical associate professor in OB/GYN at OSHU and served on many advisory and medical committees. Dr. Dow was a pioneer in endoscopic surgery, performing one of the first laparoscopic hysterectomies in Portland in 1990. Russ helped develop the first certified West Coast fellowship in advanced minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. The fellowship trained select board certified OB/GYNs in advanced skills in laparoscopic, laser, robotic and bladder surgery. He was the first physician to use a hysteroscope for the diagnosis and treatment of problems inside the uterus and the first physician in Portland and to be formerly certified as a menopausal clinician by the North American Menopause Society. Dr. Dow was always striving for excellence in his endeavors and proved to be a great mentor and instructor for his fellow surgeons, residents and medical students. Dr. Russell A. Dow was a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Board Certified). He was a fellow of the American College of OB/GYN, a member of the Multnomah County Medical Society, Oregon Medical Association, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), Portland Society of OB/GYN and Society of Physicians for Wine & Health. One of the purest joys in life was celebrating a meal with Russ. Russ had a great love for gourmet food and was an avid wine enthusiast, sharing his knowledge of wine and generously "sharing his wine" with close friends and family. He will be fondly remembered for his bounding laughter, brilliant blue eyes and eccentric taste in shoes. Russ was an amazing human being and a kind man to his family, his patients, and his friends. He will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, at the chapel of Good Samaritan Medical Center, 1015 N.W. 22nd Ave., Portland.