Obituary of Robert Daniel Dowis

Robert Daniel "Dan" Dowis passed away at home on January 14, 2020 at his home in Zilwaukee, MI after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was a generous, jovial man who spent his life working to ensure the welfare of his family and community. Born March 21, 1946 in Phoenix, AZ to Robert Theodore Irene and Jane (Miklosovic) Dowis, Dan took to heart the example set by his parents' volunteer and charity work and spent his life looking out for others. Even before graduation from Northern Arizona University, he worked as a patrolman for the campus police. In 1968, he earned a Bachelor of Criminal Justice. He worked for the Flagstaff, AZ police department before moving to Saginaw, MI in 1972. Over the course of his career, he served as a sergeant for Buena Vista Township (1972-1978) and chief of campus police at Delta College (1978-2003). Dan made his home in Saginaw, MI and resided there for most of his life. He was active on- and off-stage for the Pit & Balcony community theater, where he delighted audiences with his acting in such roles as Arthur Birling in "An Inspector Calls" and Jacob Marley in "A Christmas Carol"; he contributed further time and energy over the years to stage management and improvements to the theater itself. He took an active interest in his children's lives and passions, traveling across the state and the country to support his daughter in her gymnastics competitions and visit his son at various performance venues producing concerts. Dan retired from his career as a policeman in 2003, which gave him more time for travel and his family. He drove part-time for Blue Lakes Charters until 2012, when he briefly moved back to Phoenix to care for his parents at the end of their lives. He became an honorary yet very active member of the Telephone Pioneers alongside his parents. Together they spent many hours and endless energy doing volunteer and charity work. After their deaths, he returned to Saginaw to be close to his daughter and his extended family. He was an active member of the Zilwaukee Lions Club. He also enjoyed frequent trips to the casino with friends and relatives. He shared his love of cooking and cooking shows with his children as well. Dan also cared deeply for animals and their welfare. He loved many family pets over the years, and spent his last years in happy companionship with his dog, Patchis, who preceded him in death by just a few months. He was also preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher Michael and D'nelle Throneberry Dowis; his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Lauren Dowis-Brown and Allen Henry Brown, and their dog, Bentley; his brother, Randall Keith Dowis; and the mother of his children, Kathleen (Ritzenhein) Dowis. Cremation took place in late January; his remains will accompany his children on their future adventures. A visitation service will be held at Deisler Funeral Home 2233 Hemmeter Rd (off State), 5pm - 8pm on Thursday, January 30, 2020 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Saginaw (visit humanesocietyofsaginawcounty.org to donate online in memory of Dan Dowis, or mail to PO Box 1823 Saginaw, MI 48605)