Richard Barrett Lowe
Encyclopedia
Richard Barrett Lowe was the 42nd Governor (and fifth appointed civil governor) of American Samoa
(October 1, 1953 – October 15, 1956) and the eighth American Governor (and third civilian governor) of Guam
(October 2, 1956 – November 14, 1959). He was also a prominent educator and United Nations observer.
, the youngest of three children. Lowe graduated from Madison High School
, and studied at the University of Wisconsin for one year before transferring to the Normal school
at Eastern State Teacher's College, where he graduated in 1929. During his senior year, he wrote the premise for and directed the film Dacotah, believed to be the first full-length motion picture filmed entirely on a college campus. Lowe later received his master's degree
from the University of South Dakota
; he received an honorary
Doctor of Education
from Ottawa University
in 1942.
of the Nebraska State Teachers College
in Peru, Nebraska
. While helping with a Naval Reserves recruiting drive, Lowe convinced those in charge to emphasize the importance of education by using the slogan "Stay in School". Lowe was offered the office of Director of Education, first of American Samoa, and later of Guam in the 1950s, but turned down both positions in hopes of obtaining a governorship.
After his governorships, Lowe became the United Nations observer
for the National Education Association
in 1964.
, Lowe served in the United States Navy
as the commanding officer
of the V-12 Navy College Training Program
at the University of Nebraska and Creighton University
. He also served as an officer on Tinian
, Guam, and Okinawa Island
. In 1947, Lowe assisted in a recruitment drive for the United States Navy Reserve
, where he convinced the Navy Recruiting Office to adopt the slogan "Stay in School".
resigned the governorship in 1956, and President
Dwight Eisenhower appointed Lowe to the governorship. While governor, Lowe appointed many Chamorros to high public office, including the appointment of Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero as Assistant Secretary of Guam
. Upon Lowe's resignation in 1960, Eisenhower appointed Joseph Flores
, the first Chamorro Governor of the island, as Lowe's replacement.
Town House in Alexandria, Virginia
. Rebuilt in 1960, Lowe used bricks and stones from an excavation of the house and erected the structure on the original foundation.ACVA (2009).
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
(October 1, 1953 – October 15, 1956) and the eighth American Governor (and third civilian governor) of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
(October 2, 1956 – November 14, 1959). He was also a prominent educator and United Nations observer.
Early life
Lowe was born on July 8, 1902 in Madison, South DakotaMadison, South Dakota
Madison is a city in Lake County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 6,474 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lake County and is home to Dakota State University.-Geography:Madison is located at ....
, the youngest of three children. Lowe graduated from Madison High School
Madison High School
Madison is a name for several high schools in North America, including:James Madison High School Dallas Texas*Madison Area Memorial High School, Madison, Maine*Madison County High School , Gurley, Alabama*Madison High School , Rexburg, Idaho...
, and studied at the University of Wisconsin for one year before transferring to the Normal school
Normal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
at Eastern State Teacher's College, where he graduated in 1929. During his senior year, he wrote the premise for and directed the film Dacotah, believed to be the first full-length motion picture filmed entirely on a college campus. Lowe later received his master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from the University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
; he received an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctor of Education
Doctor of Education
The Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
from Ottawa University
Ottawa University
Ottawa University is a private, non-profit, faith-based liberal arts college located in Ottawa, Kansas. It was founded in 1865 and is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA...
in 1942.
Education career
Following his graduation from Eastern State, Lowe served as an educator and superintendent in various places in South Dakota, eventually becoming president of the South Dakota Education Association. In February 1946, Lowe became the deanDean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the Nebraska State Teachers College
Nebraska State Teachers College
The name Nebraska State Teachers College was once shared by several campuses in Nebraska:* Kearney, Nebraska - now known as University of Nebraska at Kearney* Peru, Nebraska - now known as Peru State College...
in Peru, Nebraska
Peru, Nebraska
Peru is a city in Nemaha County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 569 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Peru is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. While helping with a Naval Reserves recruiting drive, Lowe convinced those in charge to emphasize the importance of education by using the slogan "Stay in School". Lowe was offered the office of Director of Education, first of American Samoa, and later of Guam in the 1950s, but turned down both positions in hopes of obtaining a governorship.
After his governorships, Lowe became the United Nations observer
United Nations General Assembly observers
In addition to the current 193 member states, the United Nations welcomes many international organizations, entities, and non-member states as observers. Observer status is granted by a United Nations General Assembly resolution...
for the National Education Association
National Education Association
The National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
in 1964.
Military service
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Lowe served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as the commanding officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of the V-12 Navy College Training Program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
at the University of Nebraska and Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
. He also served as an officer on Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
, Guam, and Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island is the largest of the Okinawa Islands and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and is home to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area of...
. In 1947, Lowe assisted in a recruitment drive for the United States Navy Reserve
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
, where he convinced the Navy Recruiting Office to adopt the slogan "Stay in School".
American Samoa
Lowe became governor of American Samoa in 1953. While governor, he helped foster the tuna canning industry, now one of American Samoa's primary sources of employment.Guam
Ford Quint ElvidgeFord Quint Elvidge
Ford Quint Elvidge was Governor of Guam from April 23, 1953 to May 19, 1956, the second civilian governor of the island. After President Dwight D. Eisenhower took office in January 1953, he appointed Elvidge Governor. Before becoming Governor, Elvidge had been an attorney in Seattle,...
resigned the governorship in 1956, and President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Dwight Eisenhower appointed Lowe to the governorship. While governor, Lowe appointed many Chamorros to high public office, including the appointment of Manuel Flores Leon Guerrero as Assistant Secretary of Guam
Secretary of Guam
The Secretary of Guam was the equivalent of the Lieutenant Governor of Guam when the Governorship was still appointed by the President of the United States...
. Upon Lowe's resignation in 1960, Eisenhower appointed Joseph Flores
Joseph Flores (Guamanian politician)
Joseph F. Flores was the sixth civilian appointed Governor of Guam, and was the first Chamorro to hold the office. He also founded the island's first locally owned newspaper, the Guam Daily News , which was the only local newspaper until 1966...
, the first Chamorro Governor of the island, as Lowe's replacement.
Later life
After retiring from politics, Lowe began restoring houses in the Washington D.C. area, including the George WashingtonGeorge Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
Town House in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
. Rebuilt in 1960, Lowe used bricks and stones from an excavation of the house and erected the structure on the original foundation.ACVA (2009).