Neil Stewardson “Dickie” Dower, MBIM, 99, a retired Group Captain in the Royal Air Force was “cleared for final takeoff” on December 9, 2020. Born in Flixton, England in 1921, he was the son of the late William H. and Hilda (Boardman) Dower and was a longtime resident of both Barrington and then Bristol.
Enlisting in the Royal Air Force in 1938, he completed 133 missions during World War II while serving in Bomber, Coastal and Transport Commands. He received a wartime commission and numerous medals plus a King’s Mention in Dispatches for a particularly dicey raid over Libya. In April, 1941, his crew rescued the entire Greek Royal family and he personally carried the future King Constantine (then a baby in arms) to safety. As were many bomber crews, he was transferred to Transport Command in early ‘44 to prepare for carrying airborne troops and towing gliders on both D-day and at Arnhem (the “bridge too far”).
By the war’s end he was on the VIP Flight flying Winston Churchill to the Potsdam and Yalta Conferences and Bergen-Belsen and flew finally during the Berlin Airlift. Remaining in the service, he eventually became the head of air traffic control for all of England and retired as a Group Captain in 1972. He would say his most satisfying flights were flying home happy, but very hungry ex-POW’s, diverting slightly to pass over the welcoming White Cliffs of Dover.
Retiring in 1972, he moved to America in 1974 and commenced a successful real estate career in Barrington for more than three decades. He served on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church and was a long-time member of the British Officer’s Club in Boston. Predeceased by his beautiful and loving wife of more than 70 years - Margaret (Burrows) Dower, he is survived by his children - Stuart Dower of England, Richard Dower of Providence and Elizabeth (Dower) Munro of Bristol (who graciously provided him a warm and loving home these past eight years). He is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in England and four grandchildren here as well as his nephew Charles T. Knowles. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jayne Dower, his sister, Olga Knowles and his nephew, Raymond N. Knowles.
A devoted family man possessed of charm, grace and dignity, he was a gifted raconteur with a mischievous grin and a constant twinkle in his eye. Approaching his own demise, he said with a smile, “Tell them, in lieu of flowers, take a loved one to dinner.” In lieu thereof, he asked that one consider a donation in his memory to the Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship Program at Roger Williams University P.O. Box 539 Bristol, Rhode Island 02809. He wished that his most sincere gratitude be given to his caregivers- Celia, Matt and Marlene.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no calling hours. The funeral will be private and a memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Barrington at a date to be determined as well as a remembrance service to be held at the Battle of Britain Chapel at RAF Biggin Hill in England.