Robert Alfred Bowers

Robert Alfred Bowers of Port Arthur, Texas passed away peacefully on June 7, 2019 at the age of ninety-one. Bob, as he was known to his family, many friends and former co-workers, was a truly dedicated public servant. For over four decades, he served the citizens of Port Arthur with great distinction and integrity as an administrator and a City Councilman. Bob was a true gentleman to all who knew and met him.

Bob was born in Cleburne, Texas on April 10, 1928, to Alfred Taylor Bowers and Dewey Carter Bowers. He graduated from Cleburne High School in 1946. After high school, he joined the United States Army, serving from September 1948 to December 1949. Bob had military assignments in Fort Ord, California, Fort Lewis, Washington and Fairbanks, Alaska. He transferred to the Army Reserves and progressed through the rank of Master Sergeant.

Bob was a proud Texas Aggie. He attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 1954 with a degree in civil engineering. After graduation, he moved to Port Arthur to begin his career for the Texas Highway Department as an engineer designing and constructing highway facilities. He received a second lieutenant commission while serving with the 476th Engineer Construction Battalion in Port Arthur. He retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Reserves.

In 1955, Bob married Angeline Grado and they had two children, David Bowers and Sarah Bowers Weeks, and one grandson Seth Carter Weeks. David is married to Terry Smith and lives in League City, Texas, where he is an engineer. Sarah is married to Jamie Weeks and they live in Port Arthur.

Among Bob’s peers, he earned much respect and admiration. Bob has been described as an “engineer’s engineer”. He helped shape much of the new growth in Port Arthur throughout his career. He was a visionary, patient and dedicated to making Port Arthur a better place to live and work.

Bob worked as the Public Works Director in Groves Texas for eighteen months. He was then invited to apply for the Director of Public Works for the City of Port Arthur. His thirty-one-year tenure at the city of Port Arthur included serving as City Engineer, Director of Public Works, Director of Public Services, Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager. In 1994, Mr. Bowers was elected as District Six City Council Member. He was re-elected for two additional terms. In recognition of his many accomplishments to the Port Arthur City Council, on June 23, 2003, the Port Arthur Civic Center was named the Port Arthur Bob Bowers Civic Center.

In April 2003, the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers honored Bob with the ”Service to People Award” in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Bob was a man of strong faith and conviction. As a member of the First Christian Church of Port Arthur. Bob served his church in many areas of leadership. He became an elder in 1973 and served for many faithful years. He served as a teacher for the Grace Foote Crusaders Sunday school class. He was honored as the 2002 Sunday School Teacher of the year. Bob facilitated the organization of the Pleas and Audrey Benson Scholarship Fund for High School Graduates of First Christian Church. He served as a deacon, Stewardship-Finance Committee chairperson, Landscape Committee and many other committees. His generosity, caring and love of his church have been instrumental in the growth and nurture First Christian Church of Port Arthur.

Bob survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years Angie Bowers, son David Bowers and his wife Terry, daughter Sarah Weeks and husband Jamie and grandson Seth.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Alfred Taylor Bowers and Dewey Carter Bowers, his sisters Dorothy Tony and Francis Kinkel, his brothers Hal Bowers, Joseph Bowers and Ralph Bowers.

The family would like to express a very special thank you to Lizete and Charles Ellis, Elizabeth and Isabella, the staff of Kindred Hospice, and Kristi Shelton of Golden Years for their loving care and comfort they provided to Bob.

A visitation of Mr. Bower’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Time of Reflection beginning at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2019 in the Robert A. (Bob) Bowers Civic Center 3401 Cultural Center Drive Port Arthur. His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2019 at First Christian Church 5856 9th Avenue Port Arthur. Everyone is Welcome to come and help us Celebrate and Honor his Life.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in memory of Mr. Bowers made to the First Christian Church of Port Arthur or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Grammier - Oberle Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grammier-oberle.com for the Bowers family.