Robert Dowling (1941-2009): Founding Faculty Member Led Development of College of Business Administration and Public Policy

Robert Dowling, professor emeritus of management died on May 14 after a brief illness. A founding faculty member of California State University, Dominguez Hills, the Huntington Beach resident was instrumental in establishing the business program at the university and served many leadership roles in his 31 years on campus, including chair of the Academic Senate, co-chair of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Action Report Council, and the CSU Dominguez Hills advisory board. He was 67 years old.

“Bob was also a very important leader in the college,” says James Strong, dean of the College of Business Administration and Public Policy. “I was very appreciative of Bob’s good stewardship as acting dean and helpfulness to me when I arrived on campus in the summer of 2003. We will miss our friend and colleague.”

Dowling served several terms as chair of the department of management and as acting dean of the college during the 2002-2003 academic year. According to Strong, his courses in entrepreneurship and small business management were very popular, including an undergraduate capstone course that gave students hands-on experience in dealing with actual small business problems. His expertise in the field included serving as chair of the national Small Business Institute Directors Association, which is based at the University of Central Arkansas.

Burhan F. Yavas, professor of accounting and finance, says that Dowling was “a great friend and colleague. It is hard for me to imagine anybody in the Dominguez Hills family with more passion and love for the university.”

“Bob worked tirelessly to make the university a better place for all of us,” he says. “His heart was always in the right place. He cared for the students and was a staunch defender of faculty rights. I will miss him very much.”

Angela Albright, associate dean, School of Health and Human Services, remembers his inclusive nature that supported his colleagues across campus and disciplines.

“My first experience with Bob Dowling was his warm welcome to the faculty of the Statewide Nursing Program when it first arrived at CSU Dominguez Hills from the Chancellor's Office in 1987,” she says. “He regularly visited us in the doublewide trailers that were installed at the current site of Extended Education. As president of the Academic Senate, he made sure that we had a voice and often spoke in support of our presence on campus. Although others were skeptical [of the program], he worked hard to integrate us into the fabric of the campus.”

Dowling earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1964, an M.B.A. from CSU Long Beach in 1972 and a doctorate in business administration from the University of Southern California in 1977.

Dowling is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Christie Dowling; and a daughter and son-in-law, Laurel and Daniel Haserot, and their two children, Keaulana and Kawena.

A memorial service is scheduled on May 30 at 2 p.m., at the Fountain Valley Methodist Church, located at 18225 Bushard St, Fountain Valley. A reception will follow the service at a location to be named.

The family would appreciate contributions to Dowling’s favorite charity, the Athletic Department of the University of Southern California. Messages of condolence can be sent to 19842 Potomac Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92646.

- Joanie Harmon