ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Former Meriden resident and longtime Alaskan Dr. John Cramton Tower, 85, died peacefully Monday, June 27, 2011, at his home in Anchorage, Alaska.John Tower was born Sept. 6, 1925 to Dr. Arthur and Marjorie Tower, of Meriden, and graduated from Meriden High School. His college years at Dartmouth College were interrupted by service in the 3rd Armor Division during World War II. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he attended medical school at Dartmouth and Case Western Reserve Medical Schools.John married Elizabeth (Betsy) Bingham in 1949, while they were attending medical school. He completed his pediatric residency at Grace New Haven Hospital in New Haven. In 1954 the Towers moved to Anchorage at the urging of pioneer Alaska physician Dr. C. Earl Albrecht. Their first home and office was on Second Avenue.John and Betsy were active people who played tennis, skied, fished, and hunted. They flew their planes throughout Alaska and the Lower 48. In 1959 they built a cabin near Talkeetna, which their children and grandchildren continue to enjoy. Their friendships with many other young couples who arrived in Anchorage around statehood endured throughout their lives.Dr. Tower and Dr. Helen S. Whaley founded the Anchorage Pediatric Group in 1956. He cared for Anchorage's children until his retirement in 1991 He volunteered as a pediatric consultant at Anchorage Native Medical Center during his early years in Anchorage and continued his interest in Native health concerns through work on the Indian Health Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He served as chief of staff for Providence Hospital and helped spearhead the creation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit there. Dr. Tower was an Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commissioner for many years and felt one of his finest achievements was helping expand Anchorage's recreational spaces. He was intellectually curious and read an eclectic variety of books. In his later years, he consumed an impressive library of "Great Courses" lectures by noted professors. John was an active member of the "Mightly Moose" Senior Bridge Club. He enjoyed attending musical performances and the recitals of his six grandchildren. Though challenged by mobility and declining health from a stroke suffered 10 years ago, Dr. Tower maintained his trademark sense of humor.John is survived by his children and their spouses: Chris Tower Zafren and Dr. Ken Zafren, Dr. Stephen S. Tower and Janice Tanaka Tower and Alice Tower Knapp and Gunnar Knapp, of Anchorage, Alaska and Charles Cramton Tower, of Valdez, Alaska; and his six grandchildren, Jonathan James Tower, Elizabeth Baldwin Knapp, Dana Rose Tower, Christina Paulsen Knapp, Nathaniel Tower Knapp and Rachel Alicia Zafren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Tower; parents, Dr. Arthur Tower and Marjorie Cramton Tower; and sister, Gertrude Sternberg, of Meriden.In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Tower's memory can be made to Anchorage Parks Foundation 715 L St. Anchorage, AK 99501 www.AnchorageParkFoundation.org. A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kincaid Park Chalet in Anchorage, Alaska.