Alan Francis Partin Dowling

Alan Francis Partin Dowling JD, 31, passed from this world in the early hours of March 12, 2024. Alan was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from University School in 2011.

In 2015, Alan graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he studied political science, classics and history. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Law in 2022, with a focus on international criminal law. At CWRU, Alan worked with The Yemen Accountability Project, contributing to the publication of several white papers on the topic of war crimes. He was a member of CWRU’s International Criminal Court Moot Court team, captaining the team in his third year. He interned at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and served as a law clerk with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.  Upon graduation, Alan joined the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office and after passing the Bar Exam, he served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in its Appeals Unit. Alan’s ultimate career goal was to prosecute war crimes for the International Criminal Court in the Hague, as he believed in justice for the oppressed.  Alan boldly embraced causes beyond the professional realm, leading legal observer teams and supporting social justice and equality.

To describe Alan briefly is impossible. He shared a passion for history with his family, and with enviable accuracy, could recount details of historical figures, battles and geopolitical events upon demand.  His deep appreciation for history was a foundation of his lifelong studies, travel, and the provenance of his career path. 

Alan was a talented chef, who never found a recipe he couldn’t improve.  Alan’s beloved Grandma Partin taught him to cook from a young age, and he consulted her regularly for advice as an adult. 

Alan was a musician, a writer, and a storyteller. He spent Saturday mornings outdoors with his guitar, and everyone knew that when Alan began a story, it would be an epic adventure. Alan made friends wherever he went and always saw the best in people. He was kind, quick witted and made those around him smile at every chance.  He loved and was loved by many. Alan is preceded in death by grandparents Alan Dowling, Mary Dowling, and John Calvin Partin. He is survived by his beloved partner, Maria Iannucci, parents Alan (Mary Beth) Dowling and Mary Partin, sisters Jennifer (Matt) Rowe and Erin (Rhodes) Bailey, and grandmother Jacqueline Partin. Alan also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and stepsiblings, and a wide and diverse community of friends and colleagues.

All are invited to celebrate Alan’s life at the BottleHouse Brewery, 2050 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, on April 9th from 5-7pm.  A Mass of Remembrance will be held on April 10th at 11:00am at CWRU-affiliated Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, followed by a memorial service at 2pm at the Community Church of Chesterland, 11984 Caves Road, Chesterland, with a reception to follow.

As Alan's dream was to be a prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and his number one passion in law school was competing in the ICC Moot Court Competition, an endowment has been established in Alan’s name at Case Western Reserve University School of Law to support the school’s International Criminal Court Moot Court Team.  In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for donations to CWRU’s Alan Dowling Memorial Endowment.

Gifts can be made in Alan's memory online at giving.case.edu/law (please select "Other" under the "Designation" section and denote "Alan Dowling Memorial Fund" for the "Special Instructions") or by check to the CWRU Office of Advancement Services, 10969 Cedar Ave. Suite #300, Cleveland, OH 44106-7035 (checks can be made out to Case Western Reserve University with "In Alan Dowling's memory" on the memo line).