IBEW Mourns Passing of IEC Member Richard Dowling
June 15, 2010
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| ..Richard "Rick" Dowling was Eighth District IEC member. |
Eighth District International Executive Council member Richard Dowling, who gave the Brotherhood more than four decades of solid service and leadership, passed away on May 31 of a heart attack at the age of 67.
The Vancouver, British Columbia, Local 213 business manager was a progressive leader and organizer known for his easy smile and dedication to the labor movement. Under his direction, his local had gained in membership from 4,000 to 5,000. Brother Dowling had been looking forward to hosting the 38th IBEW Convention in Vancouver next year.
First District International Representative Laird Cronk said Dowling embodied the best qualities of an effective leader:
“To me he was the perfect guardian of the local union,” Cronk said. “He made everything a little bit better, a bit more secure. You had confidence that everything was under control when Rick was at the helm.”
IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill said, “It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Brother Dowling and thank him for his many years of dedication to the trade union movement. I pray that God will watch over his family during this challenging time.”
Brother Dowling was elected to the IEC at the union’s 37th Convention in Cleveland in September 2006. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Local 1928 Business Manager Mike MacDonald nominated Dowling for the position. Addressing the delegation, MacDonald said, “Because of Rick’s vast experience and his character of a solid and compassionate trade unionist, I am certain he will be a strong voice for Canada and a valued member of the [IEC].”
Brother Dowling relocated to Canada from Scotland in 1967 and initiated into Vancouver Local 213 the following year. He served on several local and regional committees and was appointed business manager and financial secretary in 2002.
He won election to the position the following year and re-election in 2006. He represented workers in the utility, inside construction, electrical manufacturing, communications and cable television sectors.
Dowling’s activism had recently focused on dispelling the myths of open-shop organizations such as the Christian Labor Association of Canada, which he described as “anything but a union.”
The officers and staff express our most heartfelt condolences on Brother Dowling’s death to his wife, Marga, their children and many friends.
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