Ryle K. Dow

GEORGIA—Ryle K. Dow, 83, died at the family camp on Hathaway Point Saturday, July 16, 2005. He was born Aug, 12, 1921 in Waterbury, the son of Leslie W. and Marion Kennedy Dow.

He was a UVM alumnus and a veteran, having served in the China/Burma/India Theatre of World War II, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion Green Mountain Post #1 and was a communicant of Holy Angels Church. The bulk of his business career was spent as General Manager of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery. He retired in 1986 after 33 years of service.

A civic leader and an expert in the field of agriculture and the dairy industry, he was called upon to advise many governmental leaders in agricultural affairs, including Senators Leahy and Jeffords, and Governors Kunin and Snelling. He was recognized for his service and accomplishments with a number of awards, among them the Aiken Vermont Agriculturalist of the Year Award, the New England Fellowship of Agricultural Adventurers Award for promotion of the New England dairy industry, the Bob Davison Award from the UVM Council, an Award from the Vermont Commissioner of Agriculture for Exemplary Service to Vermont Agriculture, and the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He was honored with a Lifetime Membership to the National Milk Federation Cooperatives in Washington, D.C., and he took pride in having been instrumental in the development of the Northeast Dairy Compact.

Locally, he served on the St. Albans Planning Commission, the Board of Trustees of Kerbs Memorial Hospital, and the committee to construct the St. Albans Elementary School. He was an avid supporter of UVM Catamount hockey.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Rachel (Audy) Dow, in 2002.

Survivors include a daughter, Cindy Martell, and her children, Julia Tabor and Paul Martell, of Georgia, Vt.; a daughter Deborah, and her husband, and Stephen Britton, of North Wilkesboro, N.C.; a daughter, Kareen, and her husband, Keith Wortman, and their children, Kevin and Kris, of Westford, Mass.; a daughter, Pat, and her husband, Doug Lawrence, and their daughter, Elizabeth, of Braintree; a daughter, Christine, and her husband, Scott Anderson, and their children, Kyra Marie and Lia Grace, of Lousiville, Ky.; a son, Galen, and his wife, Pam Dow, and their children, Christian and Brittany Dow and Paige and Kyla Driver, of South Burlington; a daughter, Alita, and her husband, Doug Phelps, and their daughter, Tracey; and a son, Rich, and his wife, Karen Dow, and their children, Haley, Maya, Jacob and Ryley.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 19 at Holy Angels Church followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Calling hours took place July 18 at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Franklin County Home Health Agency’s Hospice Program, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, Vt., 05478. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family through www.healdfuneral home.com.

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