William Gardner Downes ’54

William Gardner Downes ’54 passed away from colon cancer in San Jose, California, on November 25, 2014. Bill came to Dartmouth from West Hartford, Connecticut, where he attended William Hall High School. At Dartmouth he was a brother of Tri-Kap. Bill left Dartmouth at the end of his junior year to attend dental school at McGill University, earning his D.D.S. in 1957. He practiced general dentistry in West Hartford for 14 years, during which he was active in Boy Scouts, his church, political action and Rotary. In 1970 Bill gave up active practice to join the claim department of Aetna Life and Casualty to direct its group dental programs. He eventually moved to California to become vice president of a dental evaluation company. Bill’s deep bass-baritone voice contributed to many church and community choirs, including the San Jose Symphony Choir, with which he toured Scandinavian countries and St. Petersburg, Russia. His male quartet, Vintage Harmonies, frequently entertained at retirement homes and during social occasions. Bill is survived by his wife, Marina.