Obituary of Donald P. Fowler

It is with sadness and in recognition of a life well-lived that the family of Donald P. Fowler announce his passing December 18, 2021 at his home on the Saint John River with his beloved wife, Rita by his side. Born to Donald and Elsie (Paige) Fowler in 1932, Don is survived by his wife, Rita (Dalmeijer), children Kevin (Susan), Ross (Lisa), Paige, Laurens (Kimberly), Sarah (Greg), grandchildren Emily, Gregory, Alexandra, Jenna, Hank, Kaatja Bo, Benjamin and Simon and great grandchild Shaelee, his brother Jay (Judy) and his special cousin Jean. Don was predeceased by his sister Betty and his special cousin Marion. While growing up in Connecticut, Don spent his summers on his grandparents’ farm in Hampton, NB. Following in his father’s footsteps, Don joined the University of New Brunswick, enrolling in the forestry program. At UNB, he was a member of the swim and football teams and served as president of the Student Union. Don went on to complete both a master’s in forestry and Ph.D. in forest genetics at Yale University. Following a decade with the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Don joined the Canadian Forest Service in Fredericton where he headed up the Tree Improvement and Forest Genetics section of the Maritime Forest Research Centre. The author of numerous papers, Don received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal and was named the recipient of the Canadian Forestry Scientific Award in recognition of his distinguished research activities which resulted in substantial advances in the science and practice of forestry. An enthusiastic birder, gardener and especially fisherman, Don was a great lover of nature. His annual canoe trips with Rita and friends on the Saint John, Upsalquitch, Miramichi and Restigouche Rivers were the stuff of legends. And he was delighted to share his knowledge of our world with his children and grandchildren and all who were interested. Brilliant, funny, generous, and oh so kind, Don is deeply missed by his family and the many friends in both Canada and Mexico. A celebration of Don’s life will follow in the summer of 2022 at a date to be determined. For those who wish, memorial gifts can be made to the UNB Class of 1955 Forestry Scholarship c/o UNB Development Office, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 (506) 453-5053. Our lives will not be the same with our Don. May he soar with the eagles and watch over us.