Deepest sympathy to Margaret and family. Rex was a wonderful person who contributed so much to the success of others and added to their enjoyment of life. Cherish the memories Love Tina

Dear Margaret We were saddened to see that your loved husband Rex had passed away. What a fabulous lifetime you have had together. To achieve 69 years is an amazing accomplishment and such a fine example for the rest of us. We send our love and thoughts to you and your family. Kind regards, Maureen Johns, Secretary, Ladies Friendship Club New Plymouth West.

Farewell Rex, you were a great uncle and will be missed by so many.

I'm sorry I was not able to attend the funeral service but am, and always will be, grateful to have been to visit Uncle Rex late last year. Thank you very much to Auntie Doris for her kindness in taking me to see Uncle Rex, as well as Auntie Mary, Uncle Les and Uncle Francis. It was an additional bonus to see Sue briefly. Lovely to have seen and heard you all speak at the service today, even if online. I too have the same fond memories of Uncle Rex; horse bites when foolish enough to leave my knees unguarded, like Kate a sense of pride when acknowledging that Rex was my Uncle. Mia, I remember Uncle Rex telling the tales of you and Lewis licking his head to make his hair grow. I have other memories, one is of Uncle Rex effortlessly holding me upside down by my ankles with one strong hand while tickling me with the other. Another is of my best friend from high school telling me that when Mr Dowman was her Principal, he taught her to remember how to spell 'Principal' because he was her 'pal', which in think sums him up pretty well. Uncle Rex, you will be missed but will always and only be remembered with fondness.

Sincere condolences to Margaret & your family. Rex was such a lovely person & I have several lovely memories his time at Woodleigh School. Cake stalls were always checked out before we sold anything as he seeked to buy his supply of marmalade. Clare Reeve.

Margaret and your family. Deepest Sympathy at the loss of Rex. A true gentleman who affected so many lives. Sue & Alwyn Blackley. Auckland

I knew Rex as a colleague, associate and a friend. Professionally he ran an excellent school, as an associate he worked tirelessly to assist his fellow headmasters and as a friend he warmly supported his friends. Staff under his guidance developed extra teaching skills, pupils developed and matured in his schools while parents learned child-raising practices. Those who didn’t were soon apprised of the need for change. Rex was a thinker. He didn’t seek formal recognition on educational matters. He thought things out and as ever proved to be an educator. Go well my friend. Bryce Smith

I feel privileged to have known Rex over my teaching career I have huge respect for him as a principal at Marfell and Woodeigh School and the impact he had on education and educators in our region. He was a role model to us all on working hard, but still ensuring a life balance and bringing laughter and strong relationships to the job. He was my school inspector for my very first grading visit. His encouragement, positivity and sense of humour made the experience one that I still remember fondly today. In latter years when I saw him in the street, or sitting on the bench at the top of Mill Road, he would always remember me by name, retell wonderful stories from his teaching days and be genuinely interested in principalship, teaching and schools of today. My sincere condolences to Margaret, Mark, Jan, Sue and families. I am sorry I couldn’t make Rex’s funeral but was very thankful for the live stream so I could enjoy the wonderful celebration of a life well-lived. Thinking of you all at this very sad time, Lynne Hepworth

We are part of the Dowman Family strong and have known Rex forever. He has always been a very friendly and wise guide in our discussions and association. We have always cherished his friendliness and the times he would call in to say 'hello' and have a coffee whilst visiting us at New Plymouth New World. Certainly will miss these visits going forward. While we are unable to attend in person our deepest sympathy is being sent to all of the family today as you celebrate Rex's life. Be in touch soon. Rob, Denise & Family

My parents were Matt & Irene Jones we live at Tahere ,I remember sport days that we had Pataua School , with Parua Bay & Pataua & Whareora School Combine days .Plus rugby with Whareora and Pataua North School , and Combine todays playing Parua Bay Rugby . Greats day that was the main in getting us school children together That was Rex all over , Thank To Rex & Margaret for this be in our life Cheers Trevor

I remember Rex as a friendly gentleman who was happy to share his connection to the Matau/Purangi district with me. Although I don't know his family I send my sincere sympathy to them. Laurel Aitken

My Parents Matt & Irene Jones of Tahere, became firm friends of Rex & Margaret during their years when they resided at Pataua North, they participated with the whole community and many a laughs were enjoyed as they embraced the area consisting of Whareora /Tahere /Brynavon/ Horahora and of course Pataua often celebrating at the Whareora Hall where regular dances and other entertainment were held as fund raising episodes due to a new Hall being in the process of rebuilt following the original hall burning down. "Barn Dance and Shipwreck Dance" to name a couple. A wonderful man who I have fond memories of and deepest sympathy extended to Margaret, Mark, Jan, & Sue as well as their families.

Rex was a gracious Live-wire. Always on for a chat. RIP m8. Sympathy to family and friends

I first met Rex Dowman in February 1969 at a principals’ meeting in New Plymouth.  Our shared interest in woodwork and motor vehicles resulted in our lifelong friendship.  While Rex was principal of Woodleigh and I was principal of Vogel Town our close proximity to each other allowed us frequent social interaction and our families soon became very close friends.  Rex and Margaret, together with my wife Estelle and I, shared overseas holidays in Britain, Europe, USA,  Australia as well as New Zealand.  I remember that in passing from Spain into France we stopped for wine supplies at a tiny village where Grand Marnier was selling for $5. NZ for a quart bottle.  As we still had France, Germany and Italy left to cover we quickly emptied 6 large plastic lemonade bottles which we then filled with this fiery liqueur.  Pre-dinner drinks problem solved!  Traveling down the length of Italy, from Venice to Brindisi we crossed over the Po River not before suitably adding to its flow! Rex and Margaret were wonderful travel companions.  We shared many good times over the years. Some time after Estelle’s death, I married Janice.  She was welcomed into the fold and quickly became close friends with Rex and Margaret.  We are fortunate to have enjoyed many good times together. Today, as we say farewell to Rex from our home in San Diego we look back to the wonderful times we spent together.  Janice and I join with the Dowman family in expressing our love and appreciation of a long, well-lived and eventful life of Rex.  Farewell, wonderful and sincere friend, we will miss you so. Stan Lonsdale

My sisters Vivienne, Shirley and I have so many warm memories of the Dowmans, and we are so sorry to learn of Rex's passing. Rex and Margaret (and Mary) were in regular contact with our mother, Betty, until she died a few years ago aged 93. Deb and I were grateful to have been able to spend some short time with Rex, Mary and Les last summer. Rex might have slowed down a bit but he was still sharp as a tack. It has been a privilege knowing this fine man.

Thinking of you Margaret...Lots of wonderful memories to cherish.. Alan and Raewyn Roebuck

Our sympathy to Margaret and all the family Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time

Our special condolances to Margaret and Family. Sad to see the passing of a special person. A champion in so many ways David and Marion May

As new immigrants in 1974 I will never forget Rex's love, integrity and compassion for his students. Our young sons aged 6 and 9 years respectively, enrolled in Marfell School as new entrants - a new school - a new country to both. Both boys quite unsettled but Rex played a huge role in helping them settle and achieve well. Rex was an outstanding Principal. Thank you so much Rex. May you rest in peace. Our family send our love and condolences to your family. Georgina Hudson

Rex was very influential in my career. He taught me so much about relationships with staff and community and was my mentor and my friend . Rest well Rex.

What a privilege it has been knowing this wonderful man for so long. Such a great teacher/headmaster inspiring to our boys and still asked about them after all these years in our many encounters with him right through to Summerset Mountainview To Margaret, Sue & all your family - thinking of you all at this time. Marilyn & Doug Surgenor