In Memoriam (...Back to home page)

Robert Francis Dowling Jr., age 60, of Naples, FL and Woodstock, CT, President of Fiberoptics Technology Inc., passed away peacefully at home on Friday December 3rd, 2004, after a courageous battle with Cancer.

Bob began his fiber optics career in 1964. After receiving a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology (Boston, MA), Bob took a job at American Optical Company in Southbridge, MA.

He moved to Electro Fiber Optics when it was started in 1967, which later became Valtec Corp. In 1977, he and partners Keith Knowlton and Gus Loos founded Fiberoptics Technology Inc with 3 employees. Today, the two manufacturing facilities in Pomfret, Ct and Naples FL employ 130 people.

Over the years he became one of the most respected and knowledgeable people in the field. Bob created numerous products, developed markets which are standards today, and continually innovated the technology until the time of his illness. Recent innovations included Starscape Star Ceilings, SOL-R Light sources, and DURA-Flex fiber.

He was outwardly unassuming but an excellent negotiator capable of working out business deals that were good for all concerned. He was the consummate entrepreneur who, when asked about his strategy and business plan, always made a point of saying, “try to sell it for more than it cost to make it”.

Robert F. Dowling, Jr., was a role model for values such as honesty, integrity and ethics; exemplifying the best traits of men. His moral compass, ideology, and sense of fairness were enviable, and his soft spoken manner, unassuming presence, and good humor made everyone comfortable in his presence.

He was a great motivator, seldom accepting credit for the good, always handing out praise for a job well done. Bob had a habit of saying he was smart, because when employees did something good, he took full credit for hiring them. Like all men who knew where they were going, Bob was strong willed when he had to be, but always provided a wide berth to get the job done.

For all of his enviable traits, Bob was nothing if not a practical joker. The greatest thing he did was create a culture at FTI which inspired healthy balance; balance between family, work, and the pursuit of fun. Bob always said he’d never let work get in the way of golf. He enjoyed a good cigar, the game of poker, his children and their children, and his childhood sweetheart and wife of 40 years, Joahn Hooker Dowling. He also pursued a lifelong crusade to rid the world of the scourge of beer, one can at a time.

His commitment to family was unmatched, and Bob treated those he knew as one of his own. He was always quick to lend a hand in any way when asked, and sometimes when it was just the right thing to do. Along with partner Keith, he co-founded the non-profit organization "Santa's Elves", which every Christmas season provides toys, clothing and food to families in the area; always working in the background, never expecting recognition, content in sharing other people’s happiness.

Besides his wife, he leaves his 3 devoted daughters and their husbands, 6 surviving siblings, 7 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, countless friends, and 130 employees who were privileged to have known him, and better for having worked with him.

Robert Francis Dowling Jr.; Husband, Father, Brother, Poppa; Golfer, Businessman, Inventor, Prankster, Crusader, Philanthropist and Friend, you will be missed.

Contributions in Bob’s memory can be made to Make A Wish Foundation, 940 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611 or PanCAN (pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network), 2221 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 131, EI Segundo, CA 90245. (See our website links page.)

1 FIBER ROAD · P.O. BOX 286· POMFRET, CONNECTICUT · 06258· 800.433.5248 PHONE · 860.928.7664 FAX · WWW FIBEROPTIX.COM · EMAIL INFO@FIBEROPTIX.COM