Harry Filmore Dowling, Jr.

Harry Filmore Dowling, Jr. ("Fil"), Professor Emeritus at Towson University, died at Seasons Hospice Care in Baltimore on February 9, 2021, after a short stay at Franklin Square Hospital. He was 85 years old. Dr. Dowling was born in Washington, DC, where his family lived on Bancroft Place and his father practiced medicine. Fil loved living in Washington DC, where he attended Sidwell Friends School and vacationed at a family home on Scientists' Cliffs during the summers. When his father was appointed Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Medicine, the family moved to Hinsdale, Illinois, where Fil spent his high school years. He received his BA from Swarthmore College, his MA from the University of Wisconsin, and his PhD in English from Lehigh University. His doctoral dissertation focused on the writing of Stephen Crane. Dr. Dowling taught at Drexel University for a short time before he joined the faculty at Towson University in 1966, where he spent the rest of his career teaching literature and writing until he retired in 1998. He became a specialist in Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and served as the Second Writing Course Coordinator for the University. He authored and presented many papers on Stephen Crane, on writing, and on writing across the curriculum at various conferences around the country. At Towson University's Commencement each year, the Fil Dowling Award is given to the year's outstanding English Education major. H. George Hahn, longtime friend and former colleague at Towson University, remarked that "Fil was the gentleman stepping out of a Henry James novel." Another Towson colleague remembered Fil as "a kind and gentle man." Both before and after retirement, Fil continued to serve in various writing organizations, to mentor young professors of writing, and to continue in a number of roles for the Baltimore WAC organization. He wrote many essays about his family and friends, which he shared with them. Fil thoroughly enjoyed attending the theater and was especially interested in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas; in fact, he knew most of the G & S lyrics by heart. He was also a devoted and knowledgeable fan of New Orleans Jazz and often traveled to New Orleans, where he enjoyed concerts and found rare recordings to add to his collection He often recorded jazz music and dubbed himself in as the DJ. He worked studiously at becoming a good cook and hosted memorable dinner parties over the years. Many guests still treasure copies of Fil's recipes. He also dabbled in inventing board games and created his own paper baseball league, inviting various friends to serve as individual team managers. He read for pleasure voraciously and focused on the "Golden Age" writers of mystery novels. Fil was an accomplished bridge player and participated both socially with friends and competitively at duplicate bridge conventions, where he accumulated 120 Master points. He was a co-founder of the Baltimore BIDS group ("Bridge Is Delightfully Satisfying"). He served in various roles in BIDS, including President, Steering Committee Chair, and Editor of the group's newsletter. He also taught bridge for many years. Fil also enjoyed playing tennis and played regularly in both singles and doubles groups. He was a devoted Orioles and Ravens fan. Over the years, Fil enjoyed visiting his family and friends, whether near or far. After retiring, he continued to enjoy traveling, especially taking cruises to warmer locations during the winter and taking shorter trips to areas along the Eastern Seaboard. After moving to Edenwald Retirement Center, he continued to enjoy his hobbies and to travel. He formed a writing group at Edenwald, which is still active today. He is survived by his brother William Laine Dowling of Seattle, WA; nephews William L. Dowling, II, of Norfolk, VA; and Patrick M. Dowling of Everett, WA; niece Elisabeth Dowling Root of Seattle, WA; cousins Anne Yeoman, Conway Henderson, William Edward Laine, Elliott Gwaltney Laine and Herbert Laine. He is also survived by his life partner, Phyllis Hofkin, and by his longtime friend, Peggy Benner. His brother John B. Dowling, MD, predeceased him. The family will hold a graveside memorial service at St. Luke's Church in Smithfield, VA, on April 11, 2022.  Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com