Robert Karl MacDowell

May 25, 1937 - September 21, 2018

Robert Karl MacDowell (Age 81) A loving husband and father living in Waterford, Virginia, passed at home on Friday, September 21, 2018. Robert was born on May 25th, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Falls Church High School in Virginia with concentrated studies in subjects scientific and musical. While in Falls Church he received his Novice Class Amateur Radio License, call sign W4VGS (which is his license plate to this day) and with practice, received his General Class license. He worked on early flight simulators for the Air Force in Falls Church, then on classified projects in Alexandria, Virginia. Robert quickly excelled at electronic design and was instrumental in the development of the first OCR machines. He moved his family to England for about two years to oversee the installation of the technologies his company had developed. Shortly after their return from Europe, Robert and Karin decided to start their own antique porcelain conservation business, becoming world renowned for extraordinary techniques they developed and later taught. He had been introduced to flying at an early age and pursued his passion once back in the USA, earning his IFR private pilot’s license. He and his wife both earned their private pilot’s ratings and used their skills to compliment their restoration business. They worked from home in Northern Virginia from 1970 until just recently. Robert met his wife Karin Bothe in 1957 in Fairfax, Virginia and married in 1958. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years and his three sons Karl, Mark and Gordon. Grand daughters Windy, Karly and grandsons Mitchell and Dylan. Friends may call on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 10-11am at Loudoun Funeral Chapel 158 Catoctin Circle SE, Leesburg, VA where a memorial service will be held at 11:00am. Please share online condolences with the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com