Carol H. Fowler
Carol H. Fowler, a longtime member of the support staff in various Skidmore offices, died Dec. 13, 2008, at Saratoga Hospital. She was 61.
Born Oct. 9, 1947 in Ballston Spa, Carol was the daughter of the late Marshall (Pete) and Helen Plummer.
Carol joined Skidmore in 1981 as a temporary secretary for personnel services. Later that year she became secretary to Director of Planned Giving Don Richards. He called her a “tremendously talented” colleague, remembering her willingness to develop new skills and assume greater responsibilities. Don said that when Skidmore’s development office acquired IBM typewriters, Carol was the first to become familiar with the new equipment and helped to train others in its use. His work often required road trips, so “I’d call from the road and discuss assignments with Carol, which she handled easily,” he said. “She’s a good example of the kind of exceptional person who makes Skidmore College what it is.”
In 198, Carol was named executive secretary to Business Manager Stephen Harran, who said, “In my office at that time, if it didn’t have anything to do with a classroom, then it was my area of responsibility. She took care of helping to run my department, which included the budget, purchasing, plant, and security,” acting as both a secretary and administrative assistant, said Steve. He said she was “pleasant, skillful, diplomatic, and always had a smile for people.”
In 1997 she moved to the academic side of Skidmore and became the secretary in the Department of Business. She worked there until she retired in 2002.
One of Carol’s longtime friends was Patricia Poirier of advancement services, who recalled Carol’s love of animals and travel. “Carol had two cats that traveled with her and her husband, Ken, in their motor home,” said Pat. The couple made several trips to Tennessee and at least one trip to Florida in the RV, which Pat said was Carol’s retirement goal. According to Pat, “When she got sick, she was too ill to travel at first. So Ken would put her in the RV and drive up and down their driveway. When she got stronger, he’d take her around the block—and out in the country, that can be a long drive. Finally she was able to travel to another state, which she just loved.”
Carol is survived by husband Ken; a son, George M. Owen of Ballston Spa; stepchildren Kevin F. Fowler of Binghamton, N.Y., Keith R. Fowler of Japan, and Rebecca J. Fowler of Corinth, N.Y.; and several grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.