The Darien Times

Obituary: Samuel Curtis Stowell, 82, father of Darienites, Pitney Bowes VP

Written by The Darien Times
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 05:23 PM

Samuel Curtis Stowell of Vero Beach, Fla., and Greenwich, the father of two Darien residents, died in his sleep on Sunday, Nov. 27. Mr. Stowell, 82, was the husband of Mary Katharine "M.K." Stowell.

Born in New Rochelle, N.Y., on March 25, 1929, to the late Leon Carl Stowell and Ruth Powers Stowell. He graduated from Phillips Academy in 1947, Yale University in 1951 and the Harvard Business School in 1955. He was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity and many other organizations at each school. Additionally he was a member of the Yale lacrosse team. He served in the U.S. Navy as a LTJG during the Korean War and the U.S. Naval Reserve, retiring in 1961.

Mr. Stowell had a long career at Pitney Bowes spanning 36 years, retiring in 1995 as vice president of the administration of Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation. He was instrumental in the founding of Pitney Bowes Leasing, which later became Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation, his family said.

In addition to his business career, Mr. Stowell "gave tirelessly of himself as a volunteer and active member of his communities," his family said. "He loved the towns where he lived."

In Greenwich, Mr. Stowell's numerous activities included serving as a volunteer fireman at the Sound Beach Fire Department since 1961, serving on the Representative Town Meeting, serving for 20 years on the Board of Estimate & Taxation (including as chairman for 5 years) and as chairman of its Budget Committee for 13 years, serving on the Vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, serving as a director of the United Way and of the Bruce Museum, and serving as a member of the Board of the Greenwich Country Club. He also volunteered for many years for Call-A-Ride of Greenwich.

In recognition of his sustained years of giving to the town of Greenwich, Mr. Stowell received the honor of being "harpooned" by the Harpoon Club in 1993. He was also a long-time member of the "Townies" and the Retired Men's Association of Greenwich.

In Vero Beach, Mr. Stowell served as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, served on the Board of the Senior Resource Association of Vero Beach, served on the Board of the Riomar Club, and was president and served on the Board of The Hawks Nest Golf Club. He was also involved in various activities at The Sea Oaks Community, Vero Beach, including serving as director and president of the homeowners associations where he resided.

"Everyone who knew Sam knew how much he loved golf," his family said. He was a member of and worked with the Metropolitan Golf Association. He was an active member of the U.S. Seniors' Golf Association for 16 years, and most recently served on its board. He also ran the U.S. Seniors Indian River Invitational Tournament. He was a member of the Musketeers, a senior men's golfing group based in Westchester and Fairfield counties. "Sam was a very accomplished golfer and shot his age on too many occasions to count, most recently last week," his family said.

Besides his wife of 58 years, Mr. Stowell is survived by his children, Mary Stowell Nelson and Bill Stowell, both of Darien, Sam Stowell Jr. of S. Kingstown, R.I., Susan Stowell Chapman of Greenwich and Robert Stowell of Florida and Costa Rica; his sister, Sally Stowell Kreitler of Fairfield; and 14 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Riverside Ave., Riverside, on Friday, Dec. 23, at 11. A service in Vero Beach will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810, or to the U.S. Seniors' Memorial Fund, 49 Knollwood Road, Elmsford, NY 10523.

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