Alicia Rodriguez Bower

Alicia Rodriguez Bower, age 67, passed away Friday, July 27, 2018, in Tampa, Florida. She was born in Havana, Cuba, to Federico and Sofia Rodriguez. She and her family came to the United States as political refugees in 1962. The family was sponsored by Epworth United Methodist Church in Bluffton, Indiana, where Alicia spent her formative years. She then moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where she attended R. Nelson Snider High School. Alicia continued her mother’s legacy by devoting her professional life to the education of children. In her later years, Alicia was the president and CEO of her own company that develops and manages charter schools and a preschool. She was previously the Executive Director of Breakthrough Miami, a Spanish teacher at R. Nelson Snider High School, and a Principal and founder of the state’s first Spanish immersion program at Lindley Elementary School. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Spanish, she received her Master’s Degree in School Administration and Leadership from Indiana University, and attended Ball State University for advanced studies. Alicia boldly returned to her homeland of Cuba to produce two documentaries, one on the Cuban education system and one on the Dr. “Patch” Adams visit to Cuba.

Given all these achievements, her most cherished accomplishment was being a proud mother and grandmother. Alicia was determined to see her children have the opportunity to be part of a varsity high school swimming team in Fort Wayne. Varsity sport coaches and athletic directors repeatedly told her that swimming would never become a varsity sport. Not being deterred, Alicia led the charge and then proudly watched as swimming became a varsity sport for not only her three children but in schools around the county. She also inspired the local school district to build an Olympic-sized 50-meter pool in which all teams could compete. Alicia also loved going on cruises with her family, traveling to see them at their homes, taking them to Disney World, singing “el pollito” to her grandchildren, and gifting puppies without warning. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents. Alicia is survived by: sister Alina Alfonso, and brother-in-law Reni, of Miami; sister Aleida Allen of San Antonio; her son Timmy and his two children – Brenan and Sara Alicia – of Tampa; her daughter Alina Maria Willig, son-in-law Chris, and their two children – Gracie Jane and Bower, of Winona Lake; and her son Tony, daughter-in-law Christina, and their two children – Corbin and Simon – of Naples; also many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A memorial gathering will be held at D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park, 1140 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 on September 1, 2018, from 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Alicia’s name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate To sign the online guest book, visit www.domccombandsons.com