He was born June 6, 1928, to Lillian (McKeever) and James Cowhey on Staten Island, New York. He graduated from New Paltz Teachers College and went on to earn two masters degrees, a masters in education from Long Island University in Brooklyn, and a second in Library Science from C.W. Post. On April 19, 1954, Robert (Bob) Cowhey married Mary Rose MacDonald and together they raised six children on Long Island, where he lived for many years before he settled into his retirement home in West Palm Beach, FL.
Right out of high school, at the tail end of WWII, Bob briefly served in the Merchant Marines on the Great Lakes and intercoastal waterways on a fuel transport vehicle. He signed on as a radio operator and when the cook went missing he got reassigned to the task. A chef he wasn’t and he quickly moved on to other pursuits.
Bob began his teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Bavaria, New York. He briefly worked in New York City schools, then moved to Long Island where he first worked in the Hicksville school district and then worked in the Plainedge School District for 34 years. His favorite grade to teach was the 4th. He was often assigned some of the most complicated students, and with patience and understanding, helped many children who had previously been pushed through the system actually tackle their challenges and learn to read. He taught every grade of education. He also taught classes in automotive repair, including a progressive-for-the-time adult-ed auto repair class specifically geared for women.
As he did in his students, Bob always saw the potential in everything, and often had a hard time walking away from a hot deal or some free goods that might have some real value later on. He had a passion for all things mechanical and particularly enjoyed fixing up older American cars to resell.
Bob had a gift for gab and a good sense of humor. His son recalled him laughing with tears streaming down is his face, sometimes when he was recounting an old family story or a funny situation from school. He loved dogs and when he didn’t have one, would often be combing the local animal shelters for a new family companion. He also loved road trips—the destination seemed less important than the chance to be out on the open road, aware and awake to the possibility for adventure and the ever-present opportunity to strike up an interesting conversation with a stranger.
Bob is survived by his six children and their spouses: Jane Cowhey (Jason Reidy), Karen Sohne (Marshall Hryciuk), Amy Cowhey-Brown (Arthur Brown), Mary Cowhey (Bill Blatner), Ellen Cowhey, Rob Cowhey (Shivonne O'Brien), his brother Jim Cowhey, twelve grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his two sisters, Betty Ann Malone and Ruth White and his granddaughter Madyson Rose Cowhey.
A wake service will be celebrated Sunday, October 7, 2018, at 3 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL. Calling hours will be on Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
Memorial donations can be made in Bob Cowhey’s name to Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in West Palm Beach, 390 Sequioa Drive, West Palm Beach, FL, 33409.
