George Walter Lowe

Surrounded by his family, George Walter Lowe, M.D., passed away peacefully at his home in Seguin, Texas on January 14, 2025.

Born July 23, 1937 in Cooper, Texas to James Ray and Maurine Chancellor Lowe, George graduated from Athens High School in 1955, then from the University of Texas with a degree in chemical engineering in 1959. Not finding engineering to be his path, he married Nancy Offer Lowe in June of 1962 and returned to school, graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1966. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at UTMB, moving to Austin in 1970 to start his career at Austin Diagnostic Clinic as the first fellowship-trained cardiologist in Austin. 

At both the Austin Diagnostic Clinic, where he spent the majority of his career, and Austin Heart until his retirement in 2007, George loved getting to know his patients. He especially relished hearing the stories of the World War II veterans who filled his practice and had an uncanny memory for their social histories and recollections. Despite long hours at the clinic as one of only two cardiologists in Austin, he prioritized spending as much time as he could with his young daughters early in his career, sometimes taking them on rounds in the hospital. His daughters recall that when in public it was a common occurrence for patients or their families to stop and thank him for the care he provided to them or their loved one; he always remembered their names and interests. 

As the son of a school superintendent, George highly valued education. He never stopped learning—history, literature, science—and was well-informed and open-minded in debates, although his conclusions were for the most part predictably conservative. After his retirement, he took classes at UT and ordered countless books on subjects as complicated as quantum physics. His enthusiasm for learning and desire to make a difference led him to help fund the education of people he encountered by chance—in the halls of the hospital, at a shoe store, and in line at the symphony. 

Every home George and his wife Nancy owned during their life together had a room dedicated to housing his extensive library of books. Themes included Civil War (of which he was an expert), poetry, literature, history, politics, philosophy, biographies, World War II and more. Nancy would shake her head with amusement over the day George discovered Amazon, as it meant almost daily book deliveries. He invited anyone he met to enjoy his library, as he collected people as readily as others collect stamps. He found people fascinating and loved hearing their stories.

Like his mother before him, George was committed to having a solid church home. He and Nancy were early members of Riverbend Church when it was meeting at the Hill Country Middle School cafeteria, and later were founding members of Westoak Woods Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. Even after his health prevented his attending church in person, he enjoyed online Bible study with members of Westoak Woods.

George loved and was proud of his family and could often be heard bragging about his daughters and eight grandchildren. He wished to be remembered as a source of wisdom and knowledge, a wise patriarch. He told stories of ethical behavior, bravery, and honesty, wanting to imbue the younger generations with high ideals. He wanted the best for his family, and inquired up to the end about his grandchildren. His family is grateful that his suffering on this earth is at an end.

George’s family wishes to express sincere gratitude to his devoted caregivers, whose unwavering attention, kindness, sense of humor and loving care eased his transition and provided such comfort to all of us: Cindy Medrano, Leanna Muenich, Wendy Inchaurregui, Pam Leal, Leah Carr, Steven Carr, Linda Wheeler, and Anita Garza. Thank you as well to Dr. Charles Nolan with Guadalupe Regional Hospice, the wonderful team of nurses and especially to Ruth for her patience, guidance and support.

He was preceded in death by mother Maurine Chancellor Lowe, father James Ray Lowe, brother James Rex Lowe, and daughter Elizabeth Kay Lowe. He is survived by wife Nancy Offer Lowe, daughters Elizabeth Tapley (Mark) of San Antonio, Karen Johnson (Robert) of Austin, and Suzanne Rehme (Richard) of Marietta, GA, and by grandchildren Megan Rose Tapley, Katherine Laurel Johnson, Laura Elizabeth Tapley, Leah Grace Johnson Carr (Steven), William Arthur Tapley, John Douglas Rehme, Patrick Allen Rehme, and Daniel James Rehme.

Those wishing to pay tribute may offer memorial contributions to the Volunteer Health Clinic in Austin, TX or the charity of your choice. A private memorial service was held to honor the life and legacy of George Lowe.