Robert Samuel Bowlen

Robert Samuel Bowlen, known to his family, friends and associates as Bob, departed this existence on July 22, 2019, after an enduring and arduous struggle with cancer and heart disease. The last of seven children, he was born to a coal miner and a homemaker in Fairchance, Pennsylvania, during the Great Depression on January 15, 1935.

Bob epitomized the American Dream. A GED and service in the nation's armed forces provided the tools to garner a modest position in the mail room at American Standard, a plumbing and heating conglomerate. It was there at American Standard that he eventually realized his prodigious talent for selling. Bob became one of the company's most successful salesmen before ascending to the position of National Regional Sales Manager. Along the way he developed an affinity and expertise for bowling and for golf, the latter sport proving a valuable asset when he courted new business.

A most generous and loyal husband, father and grandfather, Bob cared for his wife, Patricia, at home for 10 years after she suffered a series of debilitating strokes. During this time he also contributed significantly to the rearing of his two young granddaughters. Throughout his life he thoughtfully provided for others, forgave quickly and easily, and sought to amend the consequences created by his transgressions. A devoted servant to the Lord, he loved his family foremost, and remained profoundly grateful to his country for allowing him to excel by his own means. In all endeavors and in all ways, Bob remained an earnest and decent man.

He is survived by his admiring son, Jeffrey Scott Bowlen; his loving granddaughters, Emily Paige Henry and Abbigail Rose Henry; and his dear partner, Margaret (Maggie) Lynn Tinney McKeon.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday morning at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 25th at Cotten Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Connie Stutts officiating. He will be laid to rest at Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield, Pennsylvania at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 1st, 2019.