Robert "Bob" McDowell was known for his rich and mellow voice at the heart of the only jazz station in Memphis. Because of McDowell, WUMR is alive and thriving today.
McDowell, 68, died on March 2 of lung cancer.
He started in 1983 at The U of M as the general manager of WUMR, U of M's jazz radio station.
For many U of M graduates, McDowell's voice announced their names as they received their diplomas.
Mike Osborn, former chairman of the communication department, recalled when he hired McDowell 25 years ago.
"You wonder when you hire someone new if you're making the right move," Osborn said. "But Bob was the best hire I ever made."
McDowell was known for his love of broadcasting. Before he came to The U of M, he worked for WRVR-The River and WDIA-AM in management positions.
Osborn said WUMR grew from a small station that would only reach dormitories to a multi-state radio station that reaches 60 miles beyond campus because of McDowell's hard work.
"It took a long time to get to this point," Osborn said. "You don't just march up to the FCC's door and demand what you want. It took Bob years of hard work, and he patiently waited for it to happen."
McDowell would also use his knowledge of the Federal Communications Commission to help other stations prepare for FCC inspections by staging a mock FCC visit and making sure their files were up-to-date.
"He knew all of the regulations, and he knew what needed to be done," said Richard Ranta, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.
McDowell would also announce U of M football games and do the voice-overs for political announcements and other radio commercials.
After coming to work for The University, McDowell earned his master's and doctorate degrees and then began passing his knowledge on by teaching a full-load of classes and serving as the advisor for all the broadcast students in the communication department.
In 2003, Michael Leff became chairman of the communication department and McDowell became the associate chair.
"He was terrific with the students," Leff said. "They loved him."
Ranta also remembered McDowell as a teacher who was a good mentor to his students.
Ranta recalled the time McDowell had a student who was going through a lot of personal issues.
"Bob worked closely with her to help her, but he expected her to complete the same rigorous standards as the other students," Ranta said. "He cared for and supported his students, but he expected them to do their best."
People who worked with him said it will take at least three people to take over the tasks McDowell could do on his own, but there is nobody who could replace his personality.
McDowell had the ability to imitate many accents and voices and was known for his practical jokes, where he would call friends or colleagues and pretend to be somebody else.
"He was more than my colleague," Ranta said. "He was my friend."
McDowell was known for his voice, something his coworkers said was heavenly.
"It was a wonderful, great, full, rich, deep baritone," Ranta said.
Beyond The U of M, McDowell was the chairman of CrimeStoppers and served as the voice of Clean Tennessee. For years, his recorded voice has reminded passengers at the Memphis airport not to leave their luggage unattended.
McDowell leaves his wife of 41 years, Marianne, and two daughters, Kelli and Cindi.
