The weights ran down and the pendulum stopped for David Gordon Gow, Clockmaker, 72, of Shrewsbury. He died on Saturday, July 3, 2021 — a short time after being diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis.

David was born in West Hills, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on November 4, 1948, the son of the late David and Mary Jean (Munro) Gow and younger brother to the late Neil M Gow.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Barbara Anne (Bedwell) Gow; two sons, Callum Gow and his wife Kelly Kulsrud, Burgess Gow and his wife Jeanine; his three grandchildren, Kay, Farryn and Finlay. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Hanna Solska; his two nephews Neil S Gow and his wife Joan Beth, and David M Gow and his wife Renee; his niece Susan Ferguson and many other in-laws, nephews and nieces.

David left school at 16 to complete a five-year apprenticeship in fine woodworking — where he started on his path to becoming a true craftsman. While still in Scotland, he met and married Barbara who was visiting from Canada. They packed their bags (and most notably his Scottish frugality) and went on a one year missionary trip to Minas Gerais, Brazil. This was followed by 6 years in Barbara’s native British Columbia, Canada where his two sons were born, then 3 years in Worcester before finally moving to Shrewsbury where he resided for over 30 years.

As a highly respected horologist, he restored clocks for many institutions and museums. This included clocks in the U.S. Senate chambers and the Willard House and Clock Museum where he was conservator for over 25 years. In addition, he restored clocks for private collectors around the world. Many of his clients have become close friends.

David was extremely curious and an extraordinary do-it-yourselfer which led him to take up many projects and hobbies including beekeeping, piano playing, boatbuilding, fishing, building restoration, car maintenance and winemaking. His favorite pastime was sailing around the Narragansett Bay and in the Bahamas.

He was a man of God expressing his Christianity through his love, patience and concern for everyone. He was a longtime member of the Congregational Church of Grafton where he served as a deacon and member of pastoral search committees; he also helped restore the church’s historically significant exterior.

A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church of Grafton on August 21, 2021 at 10:00am followed by A Celebration of Life at the Willard House and Clock Museum at noon. Both services will be available for viewing online at the following link https://youtu.be/92EwzGByeeI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the David Gow Horological Education Fund at The Willard House and Clock Museum to help foster the education of the next generation of clockmakers. The family has entrusted Roney Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Service details for the Willard Clock Museum will entail;
12:00 Luncheon and Socialization
1:00 Sharing of Music, Memories and Stories
This will be an opportunity for people to share a 1-5 minute memory, story or joke in David’s honor.
3:00 Closing

Both events will follow MA state guidelines for COVID-19 prevention; social distancing and masks will be required inside.