NORWICH – Robert F. Bowers, 53, life long Norwich resident, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital with his family by his side after a long struggle.
Bob was born in Norwich, the son of Frederick and Lorena Gaughan Bowers, in September of 1956. He grew up in Norwich and was a 1974 graduate of the Norwich High School. An excellent athlete and swimmer, Bob was a member of the school’s relay swim team and had won many state titles and held the school record for 29 years. Since 1997, he had officiated at many high school swim meets and also officiated at Colgate University as well as Hartwick during the Division I Nationals. He especially enjoyed the trips each March to officiate the woman’s NCAA swim championship. Bob’s second passion in life was the game of pool. His keen sense and love for the game earned him many trophies and trips to Las Vegas over the years. One of the best and proficient players in Chenango County, Bob ran many daily tournaments in the area and earned the respect and friendship of the players.
Bob was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served his country during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Josephus Daniels. His working career was with Simmonds Precision and its successors, working with the company for 29 years. He had also worked for a brief period with Breakstone in West Edmeston. In his youth, Bob enjoyed trips to Seaside Heights with his family and in later years trips to Georgia, Texas and several cruises with his wife. Bob will be remembered in many ways, some of which are a kind, gentle, easy going man with strong moral values and as a champion and diplomat.
On May 17, 1997 in Norwich, he married Deborah Eisner Bowers, who survives. Besides his loving wife Debbie, Bob is survived by his mother, Lorena Bowers of Afton; his children, Joshua Kyle Bowers and his wife Becky of Afton and Ryan Paul Bowers and wife Jamie of Oxford; his step-children, Julie and Derek Exley of Scottsville and his sister Mary Kitchen and husband Edson of Bainbridge. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Kaylie and Zane Bowers, Kiura Bowers, his niece Caity George and husband Sean of Bainbridge and nephews Adam and Eric Kitchen of N.C.; his great nieces Brenna and Taylor George; many local pool players who learned from Bob; and last but not least, his constant companions Kody and Kristi, who were a great source of comfort to Bob over the past several years. He was predeceased by his father, Frederick Bowers, and his brother, Michael Bowers.
Funeral services for Bob will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment with military rites will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Norwich Fire Dept. or Emergency Squad, c/o Fire Chief and marked “Emergency Medical,” 31 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.