Richard K. "Kent" Dowell

Richard K. “Kent” Dowell, 78, of Indianapolis, IN passed away unexpectedly on May 27, 2021. Kent was born in Pekin, IL on March 25, 1943 to parents, William Henry and Florence Elizabeth (Laird) Dowell. He graduated from Pekin High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from DePauw University. Kent worked as a Sales Representative in the Medical Sales industry, during his career.

Kent is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Kathryn “Kathy” (Coologeorgen) Dowell; children: Stephanie L. Dowell-Wolf (Carl Wolf), Carrie A. Dowell, and Christopher W. Dowell (Sara); grandchildren: Maxwell and Lilia Wolf, one brother, Duane Dowell (Vera); sisters-in-law: Kondelo Willerton (James) and Kristine Lenrow; extended family and friends.

Friends may call from 12pm until 2pm on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Good Shepherd Chapel), 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, where funeral services will immediately follow beginning at 2pm.  Burial will follow services in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Immediately following, fellowship at the Dowell House: 7219 Fulham Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

Kent enjoyed life on the water: growing up Lake Arlan, the Hawaiian beaches, and Canada fishing trips to Lac Seul. He also had fond memories of visiting a family farm and his riding horse, Cindy.

At DePauw, he rode to success in Little 500 bike races, winning with his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. After college, despite growing up 15 miles apart, Kent and Kathy met in O’ahu, Hawaii where they separately traveled to live and work after college and nursing school. Together, they formed the basis of many adventurous stories of their Hawaii days. Kent piloted the pair on island-hopping Cessna dates, sped along volcanic mountain roads by motorcycle, solidified lasting friendships before they returned to Illinois to marry and raise their 3 children.

His brother Duane and family were very important to him. He enjoyed visiting them in Haiti, Texas and across the states. He also loved getting together with Kathy’s extended family, Greek Easter especially.

An avid race fan, attending his first Indianapolis 500 fan at age 12, his routine of prepping for the race was as enjoyable as going to the race: test drives for the best route to the track, get headsets & batteries, make lanyards with names of the 33 drivers, and call in our 25 + years parking reservation in the yard of “Fast Eddie” Bussing’s house where he loved people-watching and hanging with friends before and after race.

To know Kent, was to be a friend. To have the luck of being a neighbor of Kent’s, was to be a friend for life. From Pekin: the little house across the alley from Tim & Sharon, the split-level across the street from Tom & Joy, to the Indy house & all his Brompton Court friends, past & present.

He was proud of his children: the social worker, violinist and aeronautical engineer. And of his grandchildren: Maxwell who he was thrilled to see finish his freshman year at Purdue University; and loved talks with granddaughter Lilia about her environmental activism, theater and dance. His family is grateful to have gathered in 2019 for Kent and Kathy’s 50th wedding anniversary where they celebrated in Hawaiian style a life well-lived together.

Friends may call from 12pm until 2pm on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Good Shepherd Chapel), 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, where funeral services will immediately follow beginning at 2pm.  Burial will follow services in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Flowers or memorial donations in Kent’s name may be made to: Wheeler Mission, IndyHumane, or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (all Indianapolis locations).