Reverend Dr. Robert Dow

1931 - 2015

Reverend Dr. Robert Arthur Dow

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME - The Rev. Dr. Robert Arthur Dow passed away at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House on August 20, 2015. He was born on March 7, 1931 in Fall River, MA, the son of Henry B. and Nellie A. Nevens Dow. Robert's early schooling was in Springfield, MA serving as the President of his class at Classical High School graduating in 1949. Following graduation he went to Nova Scotia where he was called to serve four rural churches in Port George, Mount Hanley, Mosher Corner and Outram. While serving these communities, he attended Acadia University. He was soon reassigned to serve as pastor at the China, ME Baptist Church from 1951-53 while he attended Colby College. Upon graduation from Colby in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts degree; he married the former Eleanor May Hiltz. He soon enrolled in the Andover Newton Theological Seminary and graduated in 1957 with a Master's of Divinity in church ministry. While in the seminary, he served as the Youth Director at the Fitchburg YMCA and as the pastor of the Marlborough, MA First Baptist Church.

Soon he was called to serve as pastor of the East Milton, MA Baptist Church, then spent the next two years serving as the Youth Director at the New Haven YMCA. His next calling was to the First Baptist Church in Denver, CO where he served and attended Iliff Seminary, earning his Master's in Sacred Theology in pastoral care and counseling. Reverend Dow was called to serve as National Group Work consultant for the American Baptist Board of Education, taking him to King of Prussia, PA. After two years of national travel, he became the Chief of Training and Group Work and served on the faculty at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia developing the Pennsylvania Foundation of Pastoral Counseling with seven centers.

Rev. Dow was then called to Worcester, MA Pastoral Counseling Center and developed five centers in the city with a staff of thirty professionals. This led to the development of the Central Massachusetts Pastoral Counseling ministry in Millbury, MA. While in Massachusetts he returned to Andover Newton Theological earning a Doctorate of Ministries in 1973 in counseling and group work. His final calling brought him to Maine to develop and serve as the executor and counselor in the Interfaith Pastoral Counseling Centers in Saco and Sanford.

The Rev. Dr. Dow published two books, "Learning Through Encounter" and "Ministry to Single Adults" (Judson Press) as well as countless essays in local news and professional papers. He was a guest lecturer at the Green Lake, WI Baptist assembly on several occasions. He served as chaplain, counselor, song leader and advisor to the School of Methods in Ocean Park, he served on the Ocean Park Board of Directors for a time and assisted as an associate to the United Baptist Church in Saco and at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Portland.

Rev. Dow enjoyed music, water color painting and collecting stamps.

Rev. Dr. Dow was predeceased by two brothers Walter Dow and Kenneth Dow.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Eleanor Dow; his four children Linda Ann and her husband David McVety of Otisfield, ME, Richard H. Dow and his partner Kim Lilley of Oxford, MA, Robert I. Dow and his wife Anne of Oxford, CT, and Russell E. Dow and his wife Martha of Millbury, MA; and his six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the United Baptist Church in Saco on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 11:00am with the Reverend Beverly Lowell presiding. Dennett, Craig and Pate Funeral Home, 365 Main Street, Saco, is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made in the Rev. Dr. Dow's honor to the United Baptist Church, 318 Main Street, Saco, ME 04072.