Robert L. “Duck” Dowell, former head coach of men’s basketball and athletics director at Pepperdine, died on Thanksgiving Day. He was 91.
During his time as coach, Dowell compiled an overall record of 263-263. His teams won four straight California Collegiate Athletic Association championships from 1950 to 1953. In 1962, his team won the West Coast Athletic Conference title. Dowell was the athletics director from 1955 to 1968 and also spent time as an assistant football coach.
Dowell attended Northwest Missouri State, earning All-American honors for his role on the basketball team in 1932. Dowell played for the Akron Firestones of the National Professional Basketball League in 1938, being named an all-star.
His coaching career began at Socorro High School in New Mexico. In three years at Socorro, his teams won the district title twice. While in the Army, Dowell coached the “Flying Kellys” to three straight Southwestern Air Force Titles.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. at Wiefif and Sons Funeral Home in Yucca Valley. The address is 57285 Yucca Trail Road, Yucca Valley, California.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that gifts be made to the Pepperdine University Duck Dowell Basketball Court Tribute care of the school’s athletics department: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California, 90263.