MICHAEL LOWTHER Obituary

LOWTHER MICHAEL O. LOWTHER Michael "Mike" O. Lowther, 66, one of the nation's most respected and influential experts in the substance abuse prevention field, passed away in his home in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 9, 2014. A visionary in the field, he played a major role in supporting the use of public health approaches to reduce the burden of substance-abuse related problems and consequences, and adoption of community-driven, evidence based prevention strategies at the Federal, State and community levels. He was a great listener and mentor to both junior and senior executive level professionals, including those at the highest policy levels. Near the end of his federal career, Mike worked at the White House Drug Policy Office where he contributed significantly to the President's National Drug Control Strategy. As a Director of State Programs at the U.S. Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Mike was responsible for administering most of the agency's funding for alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention at the State and local levels. He was the founding Director of the Southwest Prevention Center at the University of Oklahoma, and served in leadership positions at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. At the time of his death, he was working with JBS International to continue his contributions to the prevention field. He was a beloved teacher, mentor, colleague and friend to thousands across the country, and was known for his depth of expertise, his ability to convey complex concepts simply to a variety of audiences, and his commitment to using systems change to enhance the health and well-being of all people. He received the National Prevention Network Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the field in 2001. In addition to his family and his work, Mike's great passions were baseball and music, and he considered his years coaching youth baseball in Oklahoma to be among the most important and fulfilling experiences of his life. "Coach" was, to him, perhaps the sweetest working title he ever held. Born November 9, 1947 in Sulphur, Oklahoma, he is survived by his wife, Laurie Barger Sutter; sons David (Jean) Lowther, Alex (Tracy) Pearl, Paul Sutter; daughters, Caitlin (Robert) Sutter, Hayley Sutter; and eight grandchildren. At the time of his death, Mike was working to establish a family foundation to support community efforts to solve public health and social problems. Those who wish to contribute to that effort can send contributions to the Mike Lowther Memorial Fund, c/o Union Bank and Trust, 1940 "O" Street, Lincoln NE 68510. A private family memorial service will be held in Oklahoma in November, and a celebration of life will be held in the Rockville area in early December. Condolences online at roperandsons.comroperandsons.com