Students at Richard S. Fowler Catholic Junior High School had a unique opportunity to meet and pay tribute to the school’s namesake last week.
Dick Fowler, 80, was honoured Thursday for his long history in St. Albert and his commitment to the community.
“Very rarely do you get to have your school’s namesake sit down with your school,” said Ernie Klita, teacher and organizer. “He’s here and we’re so blessed.”
Roughly 400 students and staff from the school were joined by a group of community members and Fowler’s family to celebrate Fowler Day.
“We are and will continue to be proud to attend and work in this building named after such a well-deserved role model and citizen,” Klita said.
Klita is in his last year teaching at the school and said he felt that something should be done to honour Fowler. Many students agreed and jumped at the chance to take part in the event, he said.
“It is an honour to have you here to celebrate with us today,” said student union president Megan Stefner to Fowler.
“We’re all very proud to attend this school and to be known as the Fowler Falcons,” she continued. “It is great to have a role model like you.”
Fowler has a long history in St. Albert, having represented the community on a local and provincial level. He served one term as mayor in the 1960s and one term as MLA in the ’80s.
Deputy Mayor Cam MacKay said Fowler is one of the reasons he got into politics.
“You’ve been an inspiration to me and I’m sure many of the students here,” MacKay said.
He told students of a childhood experience of his when Fowler, who was mayor at the time, sought public input in a rezoning request.
“As a politician, I respect that a lot,” MacKay said. “You can’t make perfect decisions or do all the right things but what you can do is you can try to listen to the people and that’s what Mr. Fowler did.”
Following his role as mayor, Fowler was elected into the Alberta legislature, where he served until 1993.
During his time in the legislature, the school was renamed in his honour – a designation that took place in 1992.
The school once sat as Vincent J. Maloney. When that school transferred to a new building, it was renamed to honour Fowler.
“I have been honoured with many awards over the years, but none have meant more to me than having a school named after me,” Fowler said. “Awards and plaques fade away and are forgotten. This school is a constant reminder to me and I am humbled each time I drive by.”
Naming an educational institution in his honour is something many people felt was appropriate as Fowler spent a lot of time focusing on his education in efforts to further his career and better his life.
He quit high school after Grade 11 and said he went back to school after serving as mayor because he didn’t feel his full-time job as a heating and cooling salesman was secure because he didn’t have a degree in engineering.
During his time as mayor, St. Albert city council went through a lawsuit against a local developer. Eventually, the city won and Fowler’s interest in the legal system started.
He went on to get a degree in political science followed by a law degree, which ultimately allowed him to serve as a provincial court judge.
Following his passion led him to success – a lesson he passed on to students.
“I want to leave you with some fatherly advice: work hard now to determine what your gifts are,” he said. “Find a way to get paid doing what you love. You will be successful.”
