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Malcolm Alfred Lowther Obituary

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Malcolm Alfred Lowther

Ann Arbor, MI

August 19, 1924 - October 7, 2021

Malcolm Alfred Lowther Obituary

Malcolm Alfred Lowther died at home on October 7, 2021 after a short illness.


He was born August 19, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Alfred H. Lowther, DDS and Joyce Scribner Lowther. He married Mary Louise Young in 1949 with whom he had two children who survive: Barbara Lowther Shipman (John) and Carolyn Ann Lowther both of Ann Arbor, and two grandsons, Andrew Shipman (Toni Dallas) and Timothy Shipman. He married Joan S. Stark in 1981 who survives. Other survivors include stepchildren Eugene W. Stark (Michelle) of Port Jefferson, NY, Susan E. Edwards of Sarasota, FL., Linda A. Thiel of Stillwater, MN, and Ellen S. McKeown (Michael) of Ann Arbor. Also surviving are step-grandchildren and great grandchildren:, Isabelle Stark, Gabrielle Stark Vitulli, George Edwards, Jennifer Edwards Burton, Sydney and Jessica Thiel, and Ryan and Erin McKeown, two great granddaughters, Isla and Lily Shipman, great grandson Oliver Shipman, and step great granddaughter, Maeve Keifner. Mr. Lowther was preceded in death by his parents and a brother H. Vaughn Lowther.


He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1946, majoring in zoology, earned a master's degree from Wayne State University in 1951 and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Michigan in 1961. Mr. Lowther taught science in the Detroit schools (1947-49) and from 1949 to 1959 he managed the development of educational and advertising programs for General Motors, The Jam Handy Organization, Ford Motor Company and McCann-Erickson Advertising. In 1959 he came to the University of Michigan as an instructor in education, became an assistant professor in 1961, an associate professor in 1965 and professor of education in 1969. He retired in 1995 as professor emeritus of education. He was active in the University community, serving frequently on the School of Education executive committee and as chair of several departments including teacher education and curriculum and instruction as well as assistant dean for instruction.


Mr. Lowther was a generous teacher and student advisor, teaching graduate courses in curriculum, curriculum theory, and adult education. He also served on and chaired many doctoral committees. He was an avid and disciplined reader in many disciplines and his students benefited greatly from his knowledge.


His research and publications included federally-funded studies of teacher education and teacher work-life. A great joy in his life was the collaborative research with his wife Joan on several large funded projects focusing on education in the professions as well as teaching and learning in higher education. In this work they jointly authored books, papers and monographs, conducted workshops and gave conference presentations.


Mr. Lowther was an active member of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club and the Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, FL. He volunteered for years in the Ann Arbor schools as a student mentor and also was a peer counselor with Mended Hearts in the University Hospital. He and Joan traveled extensively worldwide and in later years spent the winter months at their residence in Sarasota, FL. In his retirement he continued his studies and volunteer work. In Ann Arbor he tutored recent immigrants in English as a Second Language and in Sarasota he taught a course for caregivers.


Memorial service will take place on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 3:00 pm at Nie Family Funeral Homes, 2400 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor. Friends and family are welcome to gather at 2:30 pm.


Contributions may be given to the Glacier Hills Foundation or First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor.

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