By Alora Peters, Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Barney “Tim” McCoy Lowder Jr., 65, an associate professor of management at Saint Leo University, passed away on June 23, 2022. Family, friends, faculty, staff, and students gathered to commemorate Lowder and share memories in TECO Hall on August 17.
Lowder, who received his Ph.D. in management and organizational behavior from Capella University, taught both undergraduate and graduate courses for 15 years at Saint Leo and impacted the lives of countless individuals.
“A couple of words come to mind when I think about Tim,” said Dr. Drew Gold, an associate professor of management at Saint Leo. “Love and selflessness. He was always there, no matter what, with kind words and a helping hand.”
Lowder’s life and actions were deeply influenced by his faith in God. As he wrote in his personal mission statement, “My unconditional goal in life is to expend my limited time on earth in such a manner as to deliver an absolute level of contribution to all humanity while always giving praise and glory to God’s infinite power and ultimate wisdom.”
“He modeled his faith,” said Dr. Charles Hale, a professor of management at Saint Leo. “He treated you as an equal.”
During the memorial, Dr. Keith Jones, an associate professor of marketing at Saint Leo, thanked God “for bringing Tim into our lives.”
“He constantly showered everyone with the fruits of Your Spirit,” said Jones.
Lowder is also remembered for his positivity, joyful attitude, and, especially, for his signature laugh.
“I always knew [Lowder] was in the building because you could hear his laugh down the hall or from his classroom,” said Peter Marian, an instructor of management at Saint Leo. “He was loud and proud of it.”
Others wholeheartedly agree.
“I’ll never forget his laugh,” said Gold, recounting how, even after his office was moved to the opposite side of the hall from Lowder’s, he “could still hear that booming laugh.”
Even in the face of difficulty, optimism remained one of Lowder’s defining traits.
“He was always happy and positive,” Marian added. “Even when he had challenges with his health, he was always positive. At the end of the day when saying goodbye, I’d say, ‘see you tomorrow,’ and he’d say, ‘God willing!’”
For those who knew and worked with Lowder, losing him was like losing a family member.
“He called everyone ‘my brother,’” said Marian. “It felt like we were family.”
From the moment he met them, Lowder established connections with his colleagues in the department of business administration.
“He was my family right away,” said Dr. Helen MacLennan, and associate professor of management at Saint Leo, who was hired by Lowder. “I’m going to miss his genuine love for the people he worked with.”
