Walter Reid Dowdle

Walter Reid Dowdle was born in Irvington, Alabama on December 11, 1930, to Rebecca Powell Dowdle and Ruble Charles Dowdle, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025. He married Mabel Irene Graham in Coden, Alabama, April 2, 1953. They celebrated their 72nd anniversary this year.

He served in the US Army/Air Force medical corps (1948-1952) in Germany on the Berlin Airlift and in Korea during the war.

He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Bacteriology from the University of Alabama (1957) and the Doctorate in Microbiology from the University of Maryland (1960).

Dr. Dowdle was recruited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, where he served for the next 34 years. Notable among his multiple positions were Director, Virus and Rickettsial Division; Director, Center for Infectious Diseases; and AIDS Coordinator, Public Health Service, Washington, DC. In his final six years he served as CDC Principal Deputy Director, nearly two years of which were as CDC Acting Director.

While in these positions he served also as Director, World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza Center for the Americas (1968-1979), Associate Professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, (1964-1985); Honorary Fellow, John Curtin School for Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (1972-1973); President, Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (1992- 1994); and President, American Society for Microbiology (1989-1990).

Dr. Dowdle retired from CDC in 1994 and joined the Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta where he served as Director, Malarone Program for Control of Malaria in East Africa (1997-2000) and in multiple WHO Regions on Global Polio Eradication. He retired in 2012 at age 81 and moved with his wife Mabel to Hahira, GA where most of their family reside.

Among his numerous awards include Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, University of Maryland (2006); three Presidential Awards (Bush, 1989, Reagan, 1984, and Reagan, 1982); Congressional Excalibur Award, 1985; and Federal Executive of the Year Award, 1983.

He is survived by wife Mabel; sister Rebecca Drew; daughter Denise Rackley (Dale); son Reid Dowdle (Robin Seitz); daughter Jennifer Hulsey (Mike); and six grandchildren, Holly Hollister (Dave); Eric Rackley (Leigh Anne); Logan Hulsey (Tamara); Dane Hulsey; Quentin Dowdle; and Norah Dowdle. Along with five great-grandchildren, Cale Rackley; Collin Rackley; Carlee Rackley; Graham Hollister; and Reid Hollister.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11am at the Carson McLane Funeral Home Chapel, 2215 N Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31602 on December 12th, 2025, with the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lovelady officiating. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 10-11am. The service will be livestreamed on our website for those not able to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Louise Martin Memorial Endowment, The CDC Foundation, 600 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1000, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. The endowment was established in honor of friend and colleague, Dr. Louise Martin, who was killed in the terrorist bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi, August 7, 1998. The endowment provides secondary education scholarships for disadvantaged Kenyan girls.

Online condolences and memories may be shared on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home