Robert Even Robert Bowers

Robert "Bob" Bowers, Sr., 81, born in Michigan, passed to a better place on Friday, May 6, 2011, peacefully.

Skilled craftsman, fisherman, hunter, boater, avid Baseball fan - all words that describe Bob, but the words that best define him are husband, father and Grandfather. Family and friends walked with him, hand in hand, during his illness to his final breath on this earth. He stood up to his illness with strength, dignity, and humor and though his body could no longer fight, his spirit never gave an inch.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Joan Marie Bowers. They are blessed with four children, Robert Bowers, Jr. (Cindy), Phyllis Buillon (Jack), Mary Jane Wood (Bill), and the late Dan Woern (Patti), eight Grandchildren, Allan Woern (Cathy), Eric Doolittle (Tiffany), Doug Woern (Tonya), Erin Ries (Brett), Casey Arellano (Simon), Jacob Via (Kimberly), Kristen Bowers, and Josh Wood, sixteen Great-Grandchildren, and loved by his sister-in law, Shirley Mayberry of Fairgrove, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews. His parents, Howard and Mae Greenwood of Caro, Michigan, brothers, Ward Bowers of Caro, Michigan, Charles Bowers of Lansing, Michigan, and sister Flora Mae Sea, of Lansing, Michigan have predeceased Bob.

He proudly served his country during WWII, and was a member of the Moose Lodge for 34 years. Bob moved to Florida with his wife in 1984 to retire from the State of Michigan where he was employed for 36 years.

Memorial: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.

Service: A life celebration will be held in Michigan. A location and date to be announced at a later time.

The Bowers family would like to personlly thank the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Auburndale, FL for their unconditional assistance.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ott-laughlin.com