Fund Highlight: Bob Dow Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Fund

The Bob Dow Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Fund was established this year by his family in memory of Bob Dow who died suddenly in February 2008. Bob was a lifelong resident of Branford. He was a graduate of Hopkins Grammar School and then went on to Duke University where he studied engineering and was a star football player for their varsity team. He then served three years with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, including one year as a platoon leader and commander in South Vietnam. Bob moved on to commercial real estate where his career spanned more than 37 years, including 27 years as president of Dow Realty Company. He was responsible for attracting relocating industries to Branford and developed many important commercial properties here. Bob was active in the community as well, serving on many boards and commissions, including the New Haven Rotary Club, the Quinnipiac Council, Boy Scouts of America, The Greater New Haven and Guilford YMCA Boards of Managers, the Branford Economic Development Commission, and the Real Estate Board of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, to name just a few. Bob also coached youth sports and was a mentor at Walsh Intermediate School.

Bob’s life was filled with activities such as skiing, sailing, tennis, golf, reading, and riding his Harley Davidson, and will be remembered for his spirit and enthusiasm. The Bob Dow Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Fund is a tribute to Bob’s pride and commitment to the town of Branford, and to how highly he valued the role of competitive sports in his life. Bob was a well-rounded individual with a competitive drive, but will always be remembered for the sportsman-like qualities he learned through participating in sports and applied throughout his life. This scholarship is awarded annually to the individual who best represents these qualities.