Robert L. Bowen

Robert (Bob) Bowen, 68, of Storrs, CT passed away on Friday, June 26, 2015, at the home which he shared with his beloved wife, Joanne (Warren) Bowen. In addition to his wife Joanne, Bob is survived by his brother James Bowen and sister-in-law Louise King of Friendship, ME; his brother Kenneth Bowen and sister-in-law Janet Langin of Manchester, CT; his mother-in-law Norma Warren of Storrs, CT; his brother-and-sister-in-law Arthur and Joyce St. Lawrence and their sons Scott and Josh of Chaplin, CT, and his brother-in-law Donald Warren, Jr. of Ashford CT. Born in Willimantic in 1947, son of the late Newman and Deloris Bowen, Bob grew up in their family home on Mountain Street. The family moved to the town of Columbia, CT in the early 1960's. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and served a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. A talented artist, he briefly attended the Paier Art School in Hamden, CT, after his return from military service. Bob's artwork, which illustrated both his vivid imagination and the sympathetic perception with which he viewed the world, was displayed locally on several occasions. Bob pursued a career in Retail Management, and was for many years employed by Benny's Department Stores, managing their locations in both Willimantic and Norwich. An accomplished guitarist, he delighted in music and played often in jam sessions with his fellow musician and lifelong best friend, Gary Pomo. As a child of the 50's and 60's, Bob shared fully in the romance of the American Muscle Car and over the course of his life built and maintained many "Hot Rods", which were always a source of pride to him. He was an avid fly fisherman who spent many pleasant hours beguiling trout in local waters. In keeping with his gentle nature and the deep respect for the world of Nature, he took a profound satisfaction in releasing unharmed every fish which fell to his fly. What those who knew and loved him will remember above all is the unstinting caring and compassion with which he treated people throughout his life. His first thought, always, was for the feelings and welfare of others. Services will be private, for the immediate family only, but those who wish to memorialize Bob and the spirit of compassion which he embodied may do so by making a donation in his name to the Covenant Soup Kitchen, 220 Valley Street, Willimantic, CT 06226.