Robert Thomas Cowan, Sr., 94, of Riverside, NJ, died on January 14 (Thursday) at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. He moved to St. Petersburg in 2006 from Long Boat Key, FL, where he had lived since moving from Manahawkin, NJ in 1990.
Robert served his country during World War II in the US Navy. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Royal Order of Moose and he founded the Burlington County Bartenders Association (NJ) in 1948.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Florence B. Purdy Cowan. He is survived by his daughters, Dianne M. Kipp of Treasure Island, FL, and Marlene Crosthwait of Lakeland, TN; sons, Robert Thomas Cowan, Jr. of Elm, NJ and Elwood Cowan of Tuckerton, NJ; his sister, Betty Huston of Long Boat Key, FL; 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He lived a full and happy life up to the day of his passing and will be greatly missed by his loved ones, and all those who had the privilege to know him.
His military honors memorial service is scheduled for 10:45AM on Monday, January 25, at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL, 33760; or Veterans Funeral Care, 15381 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL, 33760.
I can hear your laughter in Heaven’s Playground where you and Floss are reunited in love. Let the games begin!
I’ll never see a rum cake (or 2) without thinking of you.
The Kathy Walsh with the cakes!
I can hear your laughter in Heaven’s Playground where you and Floss are reunited in love. Let the games begin!
I’ll never see a rum cake (or 2) without thinking of you.
The Kathy Walsh with the cakes!
I am going to miss you so much. I know you and Aunt Floss are watching over us from heaven..
Carole Lynn and Jessica
Will miss you Bob,
Love Joan
I will always remember the laugh and the times in Longboat. God Bless
I remember the day the phone rang and my wife Marlene answered. Excitedly she turned to me to say that her father would be in the area and wants us to join him for dinner. That was the beginning of a relationship to restoration for my wife that became most important to both of us.
We loved these times that we spent talking about the present days and stories of the past that could only be told from his long life experiences. Also were going to miss his smile, his jokes, and his sense of humor. For the rest of my days when entering a casino, eating shrimp at a buffet.
I will remember the good times we had with this unique man.
In the past few years it has been a blessing from God to truly get a chance to know my father in law Dad Cowan.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bob is one of those people that left the world a better place. He had an amazing and giving life.
Dianne – wish I could be there for you – I am out-of-state… Thinking of you and your family.
Karen West
Those we love are never really lost to us–
we feel them in so many special ways–
through friends they always cared about
and dreams they left behind,
in beauty that they added to our days…
in words of wisdom we still carry with us
and memories that never will be gone…
Those we love
are never really lost to us–
for everywhere their special love lives on.
Going to miss you Bob, your brother-in-law, Al
Marathon, Florida
I still remember crabbing and fishing with Pop Pop. We used to go out on his little boat when he lived right on the water in Jersey. I remember him playing slots with my wife in Atlantic City. He was a man full of life and vigor til the end. He will deeply be missed. I am honored he was a veteran and my kids have freedom in this land because of his sacrifice. I’ll see you on the other side pop pop. Love you.
Eulogy for Dad by Dianne
It is said that some people come into our lives and go quickly.
Others stay awhile,
Make footprints on our hearts and
we are never, ever the same.
Seeing all of you here today, is a tribute to the hearts my Dad has touched.
Thank you all for being here today to celebrate his life.
This is not a day for mourning, though he will be greatly missed.
Nor a day for sorrow, though our hearts are heavy with deep sadness.
It is a day to celebrate the extraordinary life of an amazing man,
“Bob” with 2 oo’s Cowan.
At almost 95 years young, he was an inspiration to us all.
He demonstrated what it truly means to “Live life to its fullest, …….Every single day”.
He always had a new story to share, joke to tell, or restaurant he wanted to try. And his birds and squirrels could tell us all a story or two!
I know he is happy to see you all here today, and is grateful for your friendship over the years.
to his friends at Presbeterian Towers, Know he was truly happy there, because of you.
to his travel partners, Thank you for surrounding him with good times and safe journeys.
and to the Pinellas County bus drivers, Thanks for keeping him on the road.
and to my friends, thank you for embracing him, as one of your own, and sharing our good times together.
We have been richly blessed to have him here with us so long
and he will live on in our hearts, and memories forever.
Father, brother, grand pop, friend – May God Bless you, and keep you in the palm of His hand.