Reverend Richard Lee Dowhower

The Reverand Richard L. Dowhower, D.D., of Mechanicsburg, PA, died on September 5th, 2024. Dick was born in Saginaw, MI on a lucky Friday the 13th of November 1936. He was the son of late Howard Y. and Anne Myers Dowhower.
Ordained a pastor of the Lutheran Church in America, he was a graduate of Arnold (PA) High School, Thiel College (PA), and Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary of Minneapolis. With his wife, Kay Scanlon Dowhower, they were awarded honorary doctoral degrees by Thiel College in 1987.
Pastor Dowhower served Lutheran congregations in Ambridge, PA, Baltimore, MD, Pittsburgh, PA, Camp Hill, PA, and Bowie, MD and in retirement as an interim pastor in Duncannon, PA. As a seminarian, he interned at parishes in Butler, PA, where he met his bride, and in Excelsior, MN. His ministry was characterized by ecumenical commitments, community ministry, and counter-cult activities. In additional to being a news enthusiast, a photographer and a history buff, he loved to travel, read, and watch sports – especially the Steelers.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kay, two daughters Deidre Lenker (Brook) of Camp Hill and Andrea Dowhower (Phil Vollmer) of State College, two sisters Sarah Dowhower (Craig Edwards) of Milwaukee, WI and Linda Santos of Mililani, HI, a brother-in-law Allen Scanlon (Cindy) of Greensburg, PA, and four grandchildren Sierra Lenker, Savanna Berry (Douglass), Ben Vollmer, and Claire Vollmer, and several nieces, nephews, and their families. A son, Derek Dowhower, died in infancy.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 11th at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 901 N Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 and Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village Benevolence Fund, 100 Mt. Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.