Brian James Dowdell; Retired Army Chaplain
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Brian James Dowdell, a retired Army chaplain and Newbury Park resident since 1980, died Thursday at Los Robles Regional Medical Center. He was 69.
Dowdell was a voracious reader, poring over books on philosophy, religion and science, said Heidi Englander, from whom Dowdell rented a room.
“He was always studying, studying, studying,” Englander said, adding that Dowdell read a book a day. “He was always keeping his mind occupied.”
Dowdell also took courses at Ventura County’s community colleges, including classes on auto mechanics and heating and cooling, Englander said.
He took great interest in Judaism and Hinduism. Dowdell often visited a Hindu temple in Agoura Hills, Englander said.
Dowdell served in the Army for 20 years.
Dowdell never married. He is survived by a brother, Patrick, of Houston.
Dowdell will be cremated. His remains will be taken to St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Mass. Arrangements are being handled by Sunset Plan Burial and Cremation in Ventura.
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