Tributes to mountaineer who was a towering figure within BASW
Tributes have been paid to Dennis Gower, the first Scottish head of BASW and a key player in establishing the association in Scotland, who has died aged 96.
Throughout his career, Dennis showed a commitment to social justice and social work values. Shortly after studying social studies at Glasgow University, he spent five years working in the deprived Bowhouse housing estate – known locally as ‘The Bottom End’ – in Alloa, Scotland.
The experience was transformative and one which Dennis described as the time of his life that was most important to him.
During his social work career, he also worked as a probation officer in Liverpool, and a family liaison officer in Scotland.
Within BASW, Dennis was known as a supportive and nurturing presence to many, providing advice and legal aid for members in difficulty, setting up committees and lobbying MPs on behalf of the profession.
BASW member and friend Serge Paul said: “He was a wonderful person who was critical to our success in establishing BASW in Scotland. He was charming, imaginative and thoughtful.”
Former SASW manager Ruth Stark recalled working with Dennis in the 1990s during the Orkney child sex abuse scandal and subsequent inquiry.
“I was filled with admiration for the knowledgeable and sensitive support Dennis gave to all members, journalists, lawyers as every new layer of daily revelations emerged.
“He supported us through Lockerbie, Piper Alpha and other child protection investigations. He made sure that practitioners were prepared in knowing how to handle media interest in our work with training courses appropriate for our needs.”
Former BASW Scottish secretary and past BASW chief executive Ian Johnston recalled a tireless campaigner for human rights who remained active well into retirement.
“I first met him in 1974 when he was working as a community worker in the Bowhouse estate near Stirling and remember very vividly the invaluable support he gave me personally in the 1980s when BASW's A&R service supported me to successfully pursue a constructive dismissal action prompted by the unacceptable treatment of a child in care.”
Former BASW general secretary and chief executive David Jones added: “Dennis was a fixture in BASW UK and Scotland for many years. He was an energetic and reliable colleague, an effective advocate for social work, and a person of integrity. His life made a difference and he will be missed.”
Upon retiring, Dennis engaged in voluntary community work in Ardentinny, Argyll, where he lived.
A tribute to Dennis published by Ardentinny.org described him as “calm, kind, caring, compassionate, witty, quietly mischievous, astute, steadfast, determined and effectual”.
Born in Oldham, Dennis' parents worked in the local cotton mills. After leaving grammar school, he was conscripted to the navy. Upon returning, he started his working life as a trainee accountant but switched direction after being introduced to climbing. He took a British Mountain Guide qualification and became a guide on the Isle of Skye followed by an outward bound instructor. He spent five years as the chief instructor at Loitokitok Outward Bound School in Kenya where he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro 32 times. He also climbed in California’s Yosemite National Park and in the Himalayas. In retirement, Dennis enjoyed spending time in the Lake District and Glencoe.
He leaves behind his wife, Merle Ferguson, three sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.