Gordon Fowler ’63

Gordon Fowler ’63, a nuclear safety and security specialist, died January 10, 2015, in Bethesda, Maryland, following a heart attack on the tennis court at Kenwood Country Club. He lived in Washington, D.C. Gordon attended Deerfield Academy, where he excelled in swimming and soccer. He participated in both sports as a Dartmouth freshman, but later admitted that enjoyment of life as a brother of Tabard may have curtailed some of his further athletic ambitions. “I did, however, make varsity in road trips,” he said. Gordon earned an M.A. in international relations from American University, which led to a wartime year in Vietnam as a civilian evaluating assistance programs. He subsequently joined the Atomic Energy Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission and spent the last 15 years traveling to the Soviet Union, Russia and Ukraine to assist with nuclear safety and security. “One of the great joys of our 50th reunion was rekindling older relationships,” said David Goodwillie ’63. “As we walked from one event to another it became clear that Gordon and I shared many similar experiences and enthusiasms, including ocean sailing, history, Vietnam and marathons. Gordon loved to talk, share stories and political observations and had a wonderfully ironic sense of humor.” An avid tennis player, Gordon met his wife, Carol, at a reception for a tennis doubles tournament. “When I commented on a lovely wedding picture in their living room, Carol’s response was, ‘It was the happiest day of my life,’ ” Goodwillie said. Besides Carol, Gordon is survived by children Andrea, Harriet and Hilary.