Kenneth Patrick Dowd

We are sad to share that Kenneth Patrick Dowd of passed from this life on January 28, 2025, at the age of 85 in his home in Rochester Hills with his wife by his side. Ken was the husband of Kathlyn for 58 years. Ken was born on October 10, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan to Earl Dowd and Helen Dowd (Dettloff) and grew up with five siblings (Jim, Betty, Earl, Bill, and Norm). He grew up in the Holy Redeemer parish in Detroit, Michigan where he attended grade school, middle school, and high school. Ken and Kathlyn were both part of the Skiwi Ski Club where they met. They were married at Holy Redeemer in 1967. Ken and Kathlyn raised their 3 children, Ken, Kirk, and Karrie (yes, a family of Ks) in Detroit, Michigan where Ken kept the best lawn on the block! They later moved to St. Clair Shores, Michigan where they lived for over 30 years until recently moving to Rochester Hills to be closer to their children and grandchildren. At the beginning of their marriage, Ken was in the National Guard including during the Detroit Riots of 1967. He was also an insurance salesman his entire career, working for AAA in Grosse Pointe for over 20 years where he was well regarded until he retired at the age of 60.
Ken was an athlete and an avid sports fan his whole life. He played baseball in his youth as well as through work leagues and was a bowler throughout most of his adult life. He loved the Maize and Blue throughout his life and wouldn't miss a University of Michigan football game. Of course, he was also a fan of all the Detroit teams and enjoyed the success of the Lions over the last few years. Ken was a big music fan. He loved to listen to Neil Diamond, Olivia Newton-John, Kenny Rogers, Roger Whittaker, Irish music, and Motown Music and shared his love of music with his children. He also appreciated newer music occasionally like the songs from Les Misérables, Eddie Vedder, the Once soundtrack, and new bands playing Irish Music. Later in his life, he enjoyed time with his dog, Ozzy (named after the Red Wings great, Chris Osgood). Ozzy was a loyal companion for Ken for many years until Ozzy passed away about 10 years ago.
Ken is survived by his wife, Kathlyn, his son Ken and his wife Krista, his daughter Karrie and her husband, Michael Finley, and his youngest son Kirk and his wife Sigrid, his grandchildren Evan, Conor, Marissa, Kathlyn, and Annabel, his brother, Bill (wife Rosemary), and many nieces and nephews, friends, and neighbors. He was the loving brother of his brothers Jim (wife Lois), Earl (wife Dolly), and Norm (wife Diane) and his sister Betty (husband Joe).
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ken's honor to Tunnel to Towners Foundation (t2t.org) or Happy Doggo (happydoggo.com).