Dee Mowry Retires From VCNB Board Of Directors
Dee Mowry’s eyes light up when he talks. Whether it be about teaching, travel, family or community service, it is clear that he has a robust zest for life and a desire to do good in this world. That’s part of the reason Dee will be missed when he retires from the Vinton County National Bank Board of Directors this month.
Dee joined the board in 1994. At the time, the bank had locations in Vinton County, Lancaster, Bremen and Chillicothe. Since then, the bank has grown to sixteen locations and has grown to be one of Ohio’s larger community banks.
“It has been amazing to watch the growth of the bank and to be a part of that. We have some very capable people in our leadership. Of course, they have to be capable and smart to keep up with the laws, regulations and such that govern banks. These things are constantly changing and simply keeping up with them is a full-time job,” he said.
The Bremen native is the son of a furniture store owner who knew he didn’t want to sell furniture and instead chose the path of education. Armed with degrees in Corporate Finance and in Biological Science, he began his career as a teacher at Lancaster High School before making the leap to teaching at Ohio University -Lancaster.
In all, Dee taught high school for ten years and college for 53, influencing the lives of more than 9,000 students over the years through classroom education and mentoring particularly in the field of Biological Sciences.
He and his wife Kathy are also avid volunteers whose list of community organizations and other forms of volunteerism is almost too long to mention. He talks the most about Kiwanis and about the Aladdin Shrine of which he has been a member more than sixty years and is a Past Potentate. His volunteerism and fundraising abilities can be felt across Fairfield County and beyond and will be for generations to come.
“Part of the rent you pay here on Earth is to do a little volunteerism, to do a little good. I enjoy it too and that’s important,” he said.
As part of our Bank Board, Dee’s inquisitive nature, keen understanding of complex matters, and endearing humor have given him a unique perspective on banking matters but he says it’s time to retire. “I will miss it. Every directors’ meeting was continuing education for me. I always learned something.”
Dee and Kathy have been married for fifty years. They have two grown children and four grandchildren who all live nearby in Bremen. They have a shared curiosity about the world and are avid travelers who have been to all seven continents.
Thank you, Dee, for your many years of dedicated service to this bank. We wish you a happy retirement and more years of adventures!