Obituary of Robert "Bob" Maxwell Dowling

Robert “Bob” Maxwell Dowling, age 92, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by family, including his wife Sheila Sullivan (Manning). His first wife Vince Dowling (Veltri), daughter Margaret Mary, brother John (and his wife Ann), nephew John Dowling, and niece Vinnie Bordonaro predeceased him. He is also survived by daughter Karen, son Robert, daughter Jennifer (Steve), son Thomas (Lori), son Michael (Karen), stepson Mark Sullivan, stepdaughter Beth Broderick (William), stepson David Sullivan (Melissa), and stepdaughter Leah Frye. He was the proud grandfather of Collin Cargnel (Emily), Tristan Cargnel, Chelsea Dowling, Taylor Prelac (Tyler), Nicolas Dowling, Jameson Dowling, Sean Dowling, Mitchell Dowling (Bailey) and Tia Dowling. He cherished his four great grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews. Bob defined family much broader than that. He found time to encourage his children’s friends to explore their dreams, often becoming their mentors, helping them select college courses, and otherwise navigate the complexities of life. He enjoyed and cajoled the neighborhood kids. Frequently, he was the voice of reason, even suggesting when the neighborhood keg party needed to tone it down (before parents got home). Bob attended Gannon College, earning a BS in psychology. He received his MS in psychology from The University of Pittsburgh, and his PhD from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. At Clark he met his mentor, who instilled in him his lifelong mission of helping adolescents (and their families) overcome challenges. He took pride in seeing his young patients excel and celebrated their later successes. Bob complemented his job as a counselor with a career as a professor at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. (where he participated in — and brought his children to — the civil rights marches in the 60s), and Edinboro University (where he fought for better faculty pay). He published many papers, most recently a thesis he wrote at the age of 80 on the validity of standard psychological testing tools. He served in the U.S. Army as an officer, providing psychological counseling services. While in the Army he honed his cribbage skills. Bob’s passion for community service extended to local Erie, PA food banks, the Cleft Palete Clinic, the Red Cross, and many other charities. He always welcomed — with his singular curiosity — a person in need to his kitchen table. Born in East Orange, NJ in 1933, Bob moved with his family to Pittsburgh when his father took a job with American Radiator Company. He attended Saint Justin High School in Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington neighborhood, where he was the center of the football team that starred Johnny Unitas. It was during these formative years that he developed his proletarian work ethic, his sharp intellect and wit, and his belief in the greater good. Family and friends are welcome to join any of the following on Thursday, April 3: A short visitation from 9 – 10 am, followed by a memorial service at 10 am, at the Warchol Funeral Home, Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA. A burial with full military honors at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, PA, at 11:00 am. Following burial, the family also welcomes friends to join them for a luncheon at a place to be determined. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to American Red Cross.