George Washington Gowen ’52

George came from Sidwell Friends School to major in history and join Cloister. He was on the fencing team and a member of the St. Paul’s Society and the Mountaineering Club. He roomed with Tim Mutch. 

After graduation he did Army service, then joined the U.S. Forest Service and was a smokejumper before earning a law degree at UVA in 1957. He practiced law chiefly at Dunnington Barthalow & Miller. 

From his connections, personal or in law practice, George worked as a volunteer chairman, officer, or counsel for a range of organizations, including the Voltaire Society, National Park Foundation, Scenic Hudson, ASPCA, Explorers Club, US Tennis Association, Lenox Hill Hospital, US Olympic Committee, US Olympic Foundation, UN Subcommittee on Protection of Minorities, UN Human Rights Commission, and the International Court of Arbitration for Sports.

George, with his charming wife, Marcia, spent many happy days with family at their place in East Hampton. George died there March 14, 2021. Marcia died earlier. The class sends good wishes to their daughters, Cynthia and Lee, with thanks for George’s service to our nation.