Dr. Harold B. Dowling, 88, of Sweet Home passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2011. He was born in Seattle, Washington to Harold Littlefield and Blanche (Bader) Dowling.

Harold graduated from Seattle Roosevelt High School in 1941, and then studied pre-medicine at the University of Washington. He went into the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater, WWII, as an electronics specialist aboard ship from 1943 to 1946.

Dr. Dowling returned to the University of Washington to complete his medical studies. In 1948, while being treated for an illness, he met a young nurse by the name of Leota Hisey. The two married in 1952. He graduated from the University of Washington Medical School in 1954.

In 1956, Dr. Dowling came to Sweet Home to practice with Dr. Robert Langmack. He practiced family medicine in Sweet Home and Lebanon for 45 years. He served as the Sweet Home High School team physician and briefly served as lead physician for the Doctors Association at Lebanon Community Hospital. Among his many accolades, he was honored with the Sweet Home Distinguished Service Award in 2006.

Dr. Dowling is survived by: his children, Catherine Melton, Virginia Dougherty, Harold Dowling, William Dowling, Robert Dowling, Patricia Dowling; and two grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Leota.

Celebration of Life and open house will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 21, at Jim Riggs Community Center in Sweet Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.