Thomas Wendell Dow, M.D., 69, of Key West, Fla., died peacefully in his sleep on June 24. He was born Oct. 7, 1939 in Boston, Mass. to Wendell and Rose Dow.
He received his baccalaureate degree from Boston College and graduated from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1965. While studying at UVM, he won the William Osler Medal from the American Association for the History of Medicine. He completed his training at Lakeland (Fla.) General Hospital and Hotel-Dieu De Montreal, Psychiatry. In addition, he achieved the rank of Captain while serving in the Air Force at Warner Robins AFB in Georgia.
Dr. Dow moved his family to Orlando in 1969, joining the practice of Dr. Rodman Shippen, later establishing his own practice. He was a respected member of the Florida Psychiatric community for some 40 years and was active in the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the Florida Psychiatric Society, and the Florida Society for Adolescent Psychiatry. Over the course of his distinguished career he helped numerous children and families, was involved in a number of psycho-pharmacological clinical trials and was awarded the Distinguished Life Fellow Award from the American Psychiatric Association in January 2003. After 35 years in private practice, he entered semi-retirement in 2004. He was also active in the Florida Democratic Party and in the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Orlando. He was an Elder in the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Key West. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, golf and tennis.
He is survived by his wife, Anne of Key West, Fla.; brother, Harry of Daytona Beach, Fla.; sister, Mary Yankauer of Sacramento, Cal.; daughter, Abra Horne of Orlando, Fla.; son, David of North Little Rock, Ark.; and three grandchildren.
Graveside service 1 p.m., Sat., July 18 at the Ocean View Cemetery, Country Club Rd. in Boothbay.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Care Center for Mental Health, 1205 4th St., Key West, FL 33040.
Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
