VCC Spring 2021

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S pring 2021 28 Woodrow W. Dowdy III August 9, 1960–March 9, 2021 Woodrow W. “Buddy” Dowdy III, Master Patrol Officer with the Division of Capitol Police, died March 9, 2021 from COVID-19. Dowdy was a 33-year veteran of the agency. He died at the age of 60. He was a longtime member of the Capitol Police Honor Guard, and was the mainstay at what is known as Capitol Square’s Post 1, the entrance regarded as the 13-acre park’s main entryway for vehicles and pedestrians, at Ninth and East Grace Streets. He received numerous commendations over his career, both from the division and the General Assembly. He became a master officer in 2017 and also served as a field training officer, mentoring younger officers who had just joined the division after graduation from the training academy. Dowdy is remembered by his colleagues as a kind man of strength and honor. He loved the outdoors. He started each morning with prayer and tended to his roses. Some of his childhood memories are recorded in a book he wrote called “The Neighborhood.” He played baseball with the Bethlehem Red Legs, was a wrestling champion at Hermitage High School, and he was a diehard fan of the Green Bay Packers. Dowdy took pride in serving as a member of the honor guard, a job that kept him and other members of the unit especially busy in 2018, when Capitol Police celebrated the agency’s 400th anniversary. Dowdy is survived by his father, Woody Dowdy Jr.; wife Cheryl; son, Wilson, and sisters, nieces and nephews. The family held a private gathering to celebrate Dowdy’s life. A public ceremony will be held at a later time, possibly in June. Friends are making memorial donations to the Fraternal Order of Police of Virginia, Virginia Capitol Lodge No. 79, P.O. Box 1138, Richmond, 23218. dowdy Arthur R.“Pete”Giesen Jr. August 8, 1932–April 2, 2021 Arthur R. “Pete” Giesen Jr died April 2, 2021 at the age of 88 inWaynesboro, Virginia. Giesen was born in Radford, Virginia, in 1932. His nickname, “Pete,” was given to him by his sister when they were children. He grew up loving sports, and according to legend, he accidentally broke the nose of future governor John Dalton. Giesen earned an undergraduate degree from Yale, and a master’s degree in business from Harvard. He settled in Staunton,Virginia, and worked atWestinghouse. He then founded and became president of Augusta Steel Corporation. He was the father of six children, and very active in the community. His community work included membership in Christ Lutheran Church, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Virginia Mental Health Association. Both his parents were notable. His father, “Ott,” had been mayor of Radford, while this mother, Charlotte “Pinky” Giesen, was the first female Republican elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Giesen became a state delegate in 1963, and became known as “The Mediator of Virginia Politics.” He gained a dignified reputation spanning three decades, focusing on mental health, and racial equality. He married Pat Elliott in 1983 and gained three stepchildren. After retirement he continued political work and started the “Pete Giesen Mental Health Golf Tournament,” which provided scholarships for students majoring in mental health occupations. giesen In recent years had taught political science at James Madison University. He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters, Ann Smith, Beth Esterling, Mary Tucker; sons, Jay Giesen, Jon Giesen and Robert Giesen; daughters Kim Elliot and Amy Elliot; and he grew to be a true father to Jake Paul-Sauer, one of 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Beth Sauer-Holmes. A private ceremony is scheduled, with a Celebration of Life ceremony to be announced at a later date. Friends are sending donations in his honor to Hospice of the Shenandoah and Mental Health, America of Augusta. All information is updated after Special Elections. Connect with the Governor & Cabinet Members, Legislators & Staff. Access the latest news, political calendars, videos, publications, & much more! Download Our App VirginiaRedbook.com All information is updated after Special Elections. Connect with the Governor & Cabinet Members, Legislators & Staff. Access the latest news, political calendars, videos, publications, & much more! Download Our App VirginiaRedbook.com Plea e send updates to Cierra Parks at cap.davidbaileya sociates@gmail.com . V V