In Memoriam – Thomas John Dowd Jr.

Professor Thomas J. Dowd Jr., a respected port management expert and educator, passed away Feb. 8 in Seattle at the age of 77.  

He was born in Spokane, Wash., grew up in Portland, Ore., and subsequently moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. He joined the Psi Upsilon fraternity, managed the Husky football team, met Catherine "Kay" Dowd, his wife of 55 years, and graduated with a business degree. After his assignment as an Army intelligence officer at the Pentagon, they returned to Seattle. He continued to serve in both the Army and Navy Reserves – where he obtained the rank of lieutenant commander. In 1970, he co-founded Seattle/Northwest Securities, Inc., where he was a municipal bond specialist.  

In 1980, he returned to UW to obtain a graduate degree from the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. He then began a second career, as an affiliate professor of marine affairs at the same university and as a port industries specialist for the Washington Sea Grant Program, that lasted until his retirement in 1998.

During his academic years, Tom authored and co-authored a series of authoritative and widely acclaimed port management studies dealing variously with management control systems, container terminal leasing, port capital investment, port pricing, container terminal productivity, and port commissioner roles and responsibilities. Several of the papers were published by AAPA in Spanish translation. Many of his students embarked on successful careers in the port and maritime industry.

He was a frequent presenter at AAPA conventions and seminars, an active member of the AAPA Planning & Research and Curriculum committees, and the first to complete the AAPA PPM® certification program. AAPA honored him with its Distinguished Service Award and honorary lifetime membership.

Tom Dowd was respected for his academic achievements, his nurturing of future port managers and his contributions to an industry he cared for deeply. Tom was a warm and generous spirit, a brilliant but unpretentious man, a gentleman and a friend. He left an indelible mark on America’s public ports and a lasting impression on those who were privileged to have known him. We celebrate his life and mourn his passing. Thank you, Tom! We’ll miss you! 

American Association of Port Authorities
Asociación Americana de Autoridades Portuarias
1201 Maryland Ave SW, Suite 860, Washington, D.C. 20024
E: info@aapa-ports.org
W: www.aapa-ports.org