Joseph Stowers
Joseph Stowers
Joseph Stowers
Joseph Stowers
Joseph Stowers
Joseph Stowers

Obituary of Joseph Richard Stowers

Please share a memory of Joseph to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.

 

Joseph R. Stowers

March 17, 1934 – December 19, 2020

 

Joe Stowers—transportation consultant, community leader, athlete, husband and father—passed away at home in Reston, VA on December 19, 2020, age 86, from lung disease and dementia.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Joe received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University before coming to Washington, DC to work for the Bureau of Public Roads (later Department of Transportation).  He earned his Ph.D. in Transportation and Urban Planning at Northwestern University.  He went on to be President of Sydec, a transportation planning and consulting firm, working with states and localities around the country on highway planning and finance.

Joe learned of Reston at a seminar about New Towns in 1965.  It embodied his professional and personal ideals and he became an immediate enthusiast. He was the 49th home buyer, and never lost his passion for Reston. He served as chair/co-chair of Reston Planning and Zoning for over 15 years, working with the community and Fairfax County on approving and improving development plans.  He insisted on incorporating residences as part of Reston Town Center, connecting neighborhoods, and integrating affordable housing.

Joe was known for his sharp mind, detailed analysis, and strong debating skills.  In both his professional and community work he was a strong advocate for finding constructive solutions.

An early member of the Reston Runners, he helped with the club’s weekly runs. He completed 10 marathons (including Boston) and enjoyed the camaraderie of training and participating in 22 Reston triathlons, beginning with the original one in 1984.

Travel and understanding cultures were always important to Joe.  For many years Joe helped to organize annual bike trips with friends, both in Europe and the U.S.  These experiences, along with his extensive reading and knowledge of current events, gave him strong insights into our world, which he readily shared with family and friends.

Joe was a founding member of the Reston Catholic Community (RCC) that evolved into St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Church.  He was a participating member of the NOVA Catholic Community (an Intentional Eucharistic Community).

Joe is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Marcia Marple Stowers,  and their four children—Michelle (Stewart) Sonnenfeldt, John (Mary) Stowers, Jennifer (Mario) Loveranes, and Paula Stowers; ten grandchildren – Trenton and Katherine Sonnenfeldt;  Rachel (Justin Coleman), John, Joshua (Anastasia),  Emma, Lawrence, and Elizabeth Stowers; Jacob and Jayden Loveranes; and two great-grandchildren –- Arthur and Margaret Coleman; brother Daniel (Carolyn) and children Lisa (deceased), David, and Amy; and brother Donald (deceased) and daughter Susan.

Special thanks to the Vitas Hospice team for their excellent care of Joe.

Joe's life will be celebrated with a memorial mass and reception at St Thomas a Becket Catholic Church on Monday November 15th at 11 am.

Donations can be made to Friends of Reston to a fund in Joe’s name to sponsor a bike rack (friendsofreston.org/donate and add Joe Stowers), NOVA Catholic Community (novacatholic.org/donations), or to your favorite charity in his name.

Monday
15
November

Memorial Mass

11:00 am
Monday, November 15, 2021
St. Thomas a'Becket Catholic Church
1421 Wiehle Ave.
Reston, Virginia, United States
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Joseph Stowers

In Loving Memory

Joseph Stowers

1934 - 2020

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