Dr. John Muldowny

Dr. John Muldowny, age 84, passed away in Knoxville on January 27, 2016. John was born in New York City on August 28, 1931. He graduated from the Allen Stevenson School and Phillips Andover Academy, and Yale University from undergraduate through graduate school. He received a Ph.D. in 1960 and came to Knoxville to teach in the History Department at the University of Tennessee, planning to teach for one semester before returning to the northeast. He stayed for over 40 years served as associate head of the department until 1990 when he moved to full-time administration, working for a decade as an associate dean in charge of summer school, evening school, and other special programs. He retired in 2001 but continued to participate in department gatherings, lectures, and the Teachers Workshop. He co-authored TVA and the Dispossessed: The Resettlement of Population in the Norris Dam Area and edited Advice After Appomattox: Letters to Andrew Johnson, 1865-1866 (Special Volume No 1 of the Papers of Andrew Jackson). John was an exceptionally kind man who was beloved by all who knew him. When several months old, he was featured in all the Ivory Soap print ads, as there was no TV. While growing up, John spent his summers in Westport, CT, where he learned to crab – an activity that became a life-long passion. He taught his sons to crab during many vacations on Pawley’s Island, SC, and in later years enjoyed the sport with his children and grandchildren in Louisiana. John was an avid UT sports fan who cheered the Vols enthusiastically. He had a life-long love of trains and a deep interest in the Titanic, becoming an expert and an invited lecturer on the famous tragedy at sea. Stemming from his childhood days attending Broadway shows with his family, John developed a passion for musical theater. His profound and abiding affection for, and deep knowledge of, the American Musical Theatre was a source of great pleasure for him and the enrichment of the lives of many others. He also enjoyed the symphony, square dancing, NY Times crossword puzzles, traveling abroad, and sharing his expertise in American History with his students. John was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Ruth Muldowny, and former wife Dr. Evelyn Hood Muldowny. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Dr. Elaine Breslaw; sister Sheila Stone; sons Steven Muldowny (Amy) of Decatur, GA, and David Muldowny (Susie) of Lafayette, LA; stepson Karl Breslaw (Theresa), of Catonsville, MD; grandchildren Laura Ann Muldowny of Nashville, TN, Taylor Muldowny of Decatur, GA, and Caroline, Jennifer, Will and Elizabeth Muldowny, all of Lafayette, LA; step-grandchildren Rachel and Alec Breslaw of Catonsville, MD; niece Alison Adair of Washington, DC, and nephew Richard Bartle (Chase) of Sun Valley, CA. The memorial Service for John Muldowny will be a Celebration of his Life on March 5, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. to be held at the Visitor’s Center of the University of Tennessee, 2712 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, Tn. We have secured a group rate of $109 per night at the Hampton Inn & Suites, Knoxville-turkey Creek/Farragut. Please call directly at 865 966-0303 and refer to “Muldowny Life Celebration.” . In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Yale Musical Theater of the Air, c/o Association of Yale Alumni, PO Box 209010, New Haven, CT, 06520-9010 or to the Enrichment Fund, History Department, University of Tennessee, 915 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN, 37996. Services are under the direction of Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel 6200 Kingston Pike. Online Condolences may be left at www.rosemortuary.com

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Dr. John Muldowny

August 28, 1931 - January 27, 2016