FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Robert Bowersock
01/26/1929 — 08/11/2015
From Richland, WA | Born in Baxter Springs, KS
Robert Bowersock
Robert "Bob" Bowersock died at home on August 11, 2015. He was 86. Born January 26, 1929 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, Bob moved to Columbus, Kansas, where he met and married the girl next door, Phyllis Anne Clegg. The couple had just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Bob is survived by his wife; two daughters, Kim (Joe) Guyette and Karin (Jim Ritter) Bowersock; one granddaughter, Caitlin Guyette; four step-grandchildren, Chris, Tim, Rebecca, and Sophie Ritter; his dog, Jake; nieces and nephews; friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Overman; his parents; and best friend, Norm Miller.
Bob attended the University of Kansas, earning a degree in chemical engineering. Later in life, he earned a master’s degree in behavioral science. After college he served as Lieutenant JG in the US Navy during the Korean War.
Bob and Phyllis joined their friends, The Millers, in Richland in 1954, working for GE. He spent his career at Hanford working for the various contractors including Battelle Northwest and Vitro Engineering.
Bob was passionately active in Benton County, state, and national Democratic politics. He served as precinct committeeman for decades as well as a delegate to state Democratic conventions. He continued to attend Democratic Central Committee meetings up until his death and was a sage of local political history and parliamentary procedure. Bob's activism included anti-war protests, boycotts in support of the rights of migrant farm workers, miles of doorbelling for various causes and candidates.
After retiring, Bob trained annually and volunteered as a Tax Aide consultant, and took an active interest in making B-Reactor a museum/national monument including serving as Government Relations officer for BRMA.
His interests included trips to his cabin, travel to visit far flung family and friends, watching the Seahawks and Tiger Woods through their ups and downs, weekly lunches with friends at The Spudnut Shop, and missed hitting the course at Sham na Pum.
Like thousands of others Bob was put in the role as caregiver for Phyllis by Alzheimer’s disease. She is at a loss without her faithful companion.
A celebration of his life will be held on September 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Richland Community Center. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to organizations dear to his heart: Pet Over Population Prevention (POPP), Alzheimer's Research, alz.org, or any campaign for a democratic candidate.
Bob was a good man who contributed much to his community and to his friends. He will be missed as a part of our monthly carpool to the BRMA meetings, and especially for his interesting and often sagacious comments on all sorts of things. Phyllis, I share in your sorrow.
Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed. May the love of family and friends comfort you during these difficult days, my most heartfelt condolences. “And there will be many of those asleep in the ground of dust who will wake up…” (Daniel 12:2) JW.ORG
Bob was a dedicated Democratic committed to the principles that addresses the needs of people and the environment.
So many chatty coffees at various houses. So many fun parties.
Bob and I also had a real connection with mice. When I first bought my house, it was next to an empty field. Mice were my neighbors and often came to visit. As much as Taffy tried she was not a a mousing dog. I would hear her skid into the refrigerator on many nights. When I told Bob of my plight, he had several suggestions and brought me a couple of traps. We traded solutions for many years until a house was built and the mice moved on. I did have to explain to him that the live trap and driving them down to the river bank might NOT be the best idea.
Also I can never pull those little round disks out of milk cartons without thinking of him. He took those on his walks and set them on the sidewalk near ‘puppy piles’ so he would remember to pick them up on his way back home. 🙂
He will be very much missed by many.
You are all in my prayers especially dear Phyllis.
I am sorry for your loss, Karen. I remember your father fondly. I am sorry I will not be able to come to the service that day, but I will be thinking of you and your family.
Kim and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Remembering all the times with your family.
Our deepest sympathies to the Bowersock family. Bob was a very interesting man and very passionate about his beliefs. We know he will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Guestbook for
Robert Bowersock