Walter Dowdall

We remember with fondness and deep respect our esteemed friend and colleague Walter Dowdall, who passed away on 20 February 2017, aged 89, after a lengthy illness.

Born on 14 April 1927, Walter attended Bangor Grammar School between 1938 and 1944. He was a “one company man” who joined Dunlop Drapers in Belfast as a rep., going on to become a director before his retirement in the 1980s.

Not only did Walter serve on the committee of Bangor Grammarians (formerly the Old Boys Association) for a remarkable 62 years (having joined the body in 1954 while still in his 20s), he also joined the School’s Board of Governors in 1973 and in time established himself as its longest-serving member.

Walter was elected chairman of the Grammarians on two occasions, in 1964/65 and again in 1991/92. A stickler for rules, his aim was a simple one – to ‘get things done.’

While closely associated with the sport of hockey in Bangor for John Blundell as a member of the Under 14 XV in 1950/51 many years (he served as president of the Irish Hockey Union in 1976), Walter played for the BGS Medallion XV in the 1940-41 season.

During the largely-attended funeral service on 24 February at Wesley Centenary Methodist Church, the minister, the Rev. Brian Anderson, described Walter as “dependable, thorough, a clear thinker and a listener” who had enjoyed a “welllived long life of giving and gracious unselfishness.”

In addition, Walter gave “fruitful, honest and committed service” to his church, not only as a circuit steward but also as a qualified preacher.

As evidence of his community-spirited nature, Walter’s other interests included road safety, representing Bangor on the Northern Ireland Road Safety Council.

Grammarians chairman Geoffrey Miller, who said Walter would long be remembered as a committee stalwart, extended sympathy to his wife Eileen (they were married in 1965) and the family circle, and also to Walter’s many friends.