Richard Lee McDowell (85) of Florissant, MO

Richard Lee McDowell, age 85, of Florissant, Missouri passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023.

A visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. 315 Graham Rd., Florissant, MO 63031. A graveside service will be held at 2:15 p.m. Saturday. September 2, 2023 at Liberty Cemetery, rural Brownstown with Don Thomas officiating. Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown is assisting the family with local arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Richard's name to the Salvation Army.

Richard McDowell was an involved father, helping with leadership in all of his children's activities. He was a good mentor to any and all, teaching and helping any who were willing to take advantage of his knowledge. He was a jokester who was always ready with a joke. No matter where he went, it was his mission to engage strangers and make them laugh or smile. He was always a student, trying to read and learn something new. Even in his last months, he completed an online astrology course. Richard was an Engineer. In the 70's, he built his own functioning computer from scratch. In the 80's, he built his own robot with a functioning arm and claw. He had many other projects and continued building things throughout his whole life. He was an outdoorsman who loved being in nature. He loved vacationing to see nature's beauty. He took his family camping and hiking over most of North America.

Richard is survived by his wife, Barbara (nee Salmons) and sons, Eric and David.

He was predeceased by his daughter Lisa.