Lescher Dowling

Lescher Dowling of Sunnyvale, California, a member of the Greatest Generation, passed away on February 13, 2024. He was 101 years old, though to meet him you’d have guessed he was much younger. Born and raised in Carpinteria, California, Lescher was the son of Julia [Lescher] Dowling and Walter Dowling. His siblings were Martha Rose (Dowling) Rodriquez, Kenneth Dowling, and half sisters, Dortha and Irene Dowling. Lescher’s father co-owned and operated the Rincon Garage & Machine Shop in downtown Carpinteria, but encouraged his children to seek higher education. Lescher would go on to become a school teacher, but first, WWII would intervene. At a school dance, Lescher met his future wife, Dorothy Eichelberger. He was immediately smitten and did his best to win her affection. Lescher was soon drafted into the Army to serve overseas in the China Burma India 7th Veterinary Corps (CBI). After basic training in Colorado, his company was shipped overseas with a load of mules destined for troop support. Dorothy felt it was her patriotic duty to write to a serviceman, and it was in this correspondence that their relationship truly blossomed. Back home after the war’s end, Lescher attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, on the G.I. Bill. In 1950 he graduated with an Industrial Arts teaching credential, married Dorothy, moved to San Diego and taught for 3 years at the San Diego County Juvenile Hall. He often remarked that working at ‘Juvie’ gained more positive response from potential employers than the other skills listed in his resume. After earning a General Secondary Credential at San Diego State, he landed a job at his old Alma Mater, Carpinteria High School. He taught Shop, Printing, Drafting, Photography and Driver Training for the next 12 years. During this time he and Dorothy had two children, Richard and Lela Ann. They all enjoyed Dad’s summers off when the trailer would be stocked with supplies and off they would go to explore the National Parks. After deciding to focus on photography, Lescher left teaching to take classes at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. From there, he was hired to head the Photography Department at Foothill Junior College in Los Altos Hills. ‘Mr. D’ was a popular and personable teacher, always willing to chat and field questions during lunch hour in his office on campus. He cited that working with students kept him looking and feeling younger, too. Upon retirement in 1990, Lescher and Dorothy began educational travel and learning adventures through Elderhostel. He rekindled a model airplane hobby from his youth, joining SAM 21, the Society of Antique Modelers. He built and flew gas-powered remote controlled model airplanes, but mostly enjoyed collecting and repairing their vintage engines. Lescher was also on the founding committee for the Foothill-De Anza Community College Retirees Association, FODARA. In addition, he and Dorothy took memoir writing classes, but their greatest passion was involvement in the nationwide CBI Veterans Association. They attended monthly luncheons and national conventions with other CBI veterans, many of whom became great friends. Lescher served on the board of the San Francisco based chapter as Commander, Vice Commander, Newsletter Editor, Finance Officer; at times, several positions all at once as membership depleted with time. He wrote a book of his wartime adventures in the CBI, titled, ‘A Light Trail’, which will eventually be available on Amazon. Dorothy passed away in 2021. Lescher is survived by his children; Richard Dowling and Lela [Dowling] Cirocco, grandchildren Sara & Skye, as well as 4 great-grandchildren. His wry humor, wisdom, helpful advice and stories from the old days, all will be greatly missed.