Walter John ‘Obie’ Dowling


Walter John "Obie" Dowling of Waukesha found peace Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, at the age of 83.

He was the loving husband of Elaine (nee Fischer) Dowling for 45 years; best dad ever of Ruth (Al) Geiger and Bonnie (Kevin) Conroy; loving grandpa of Joel (Sarah) Harris, Anna Conroy and Shannon Conroy; great-grandpa of Alyssa Harris and Sydney Harris; great-great grandpa to Alexander Harris; son of the late Meta (nee Martin) Olwell; and brother of the late Dennis Olwell, Kathy Volkmar and Judy (Al) Goss.

Obie was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha, where he ushered for many years. He was a machinist at Hein Werner Corp. for 37 years.

Obie played baseball in the Land o’ Lakes league and also enjoyed bowling and golf. As a young man, Obie worked as a bartender with family members at Glen’s Tap and the Rocky Knoll. As an adult, Obie enjoyed spending his spare time entertaining/serving customers at Totem Bowl and Fox View Lanes.

Obie served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Antietam as a tail gunner.

He was an active member of VFW Post 721 in Waukesha for many years. He enjoyed honoring his fellow veterans with monthly visits to the VA hospital. He, along with other members of the VFW Past Commanders Club, took pizza and soda to patients at the Spinal Cord unit. He also raised money for The Salvation Army by ringing bells each year for their organization.

His great sense of humor and mischievous grin will be missed by all who knew him, especially Curly and Mouse.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at River Hills West Health Care Facility for their compassion and for their true commitment to making each resident feel like a member of the River Hills family.

Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 11, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 300 Carroll St., Waukesha, with a VFW service at noon followed by a memorial service with the Rev. Gary Liedtke officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to be made to the Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s associations.

Church and Chapel Rudolph-Larsen Bros. Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 549-0659 or visit www.churchandchapel.com to view the online obituary, leave condolences or receive directions.