Rodger B. Dowdell ’52 ScM

Rodger B. Dowdell ’52 ScM, of Lake Suzy, Fla., formerly of East Greenwich and Narragansett, R.I.; July 4. He was a professional engineer and worked in the industry, including at General Electric before becoming an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Bridgeport (Conn.). While teaching at UB, he received a fellowship to Colorado State University. Upon his return to Rhode Island, he became a full professor at URI until his retirement in 1989. He was considered an expert in fluid dynamics and flow measurement. He served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and on the International Committee for Flow Measurement Standards. He represented ASME and the U.S. and attended many worldwide conferences on the issue of flow measurement. His work in fluid dynamics is widely cited. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and enjoyed sailing. He sailed his boat from Narragansett to Southwest Florida. He also enjoyed playing golf, reading, and traveling. He is survived by seven children, including Rodger B. Dowdell Jr. ’71; two stepchildren; 26 grandchildren, including Rory A. Dowdell ’06; five step-grand-children; and 29 great-grandchildren.