Robert Bowen

Robert Royal Bowen, 68, of Frostburg, MD, was surrounded by his family when he left to meet his God and reunite with his previously passed parents, family, and friends on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Robert (aka Rob, Robbie, Bo, and Baby Baby) was born to Miller (aka Judge Miller Bowen, Goose, and Papa Goose) and Ruth (Shewbridge) (aka Mama Goose) Bowen on September 12, 1952 in New Orleans, LA and was raised in Frostburg, MD. Rob attended Beall High School graduating in the Class of 1970. During those years he lettered in 4 sports (golf, tennis, basketball, and football), was a class officer, lead or participated in several clubs, was a good scholar, and was widely recognized as a terrific dancer. The family was very proud when Rob was awarded the Tom Davis Memorial Award, which recognizes participation in sports, an officer in student government, good character, and good citizenship. For three years during college summers Rob was a seasonal officer in Ocean City, MD Police Department. He loved those summers! Rob graduated from FSU in 1974 with a BS in Political Science. He married the former Debbie Diamond and moved to the Baltimore area where he became a Parole and Probation Officer for Baltimore County, Maryland. In the evenings he began working on a Master of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Baltimore. He was awarded his degree in 1977. In 1980 Robbie moved the family to Cumberland where he became an agent with New York Life Insurance Co. While there he earned the title Rooky of the Year his first year, he was invited to become the youngest Sales Development and Recruitment Manager at that time in the company. He was well on his way to a successful career in management with New York Life Insurance Co. prior to his disabling stroke in 1984. Robbie was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the International Order of Alhambra, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sons of the American Legion and the Loyal Order of Moose. In 1990 Rob was honored at the 42nd Annual Dapper Dan Sports Dinner with the Joseph K. Mooney Memorial Most Courageous Award. The plaque reads: At six years old Robert Bowen had heart surgery to remove a blockage in the aorta, then had a stroke at the age of thirty, but through his entire life he has participated in sports. As a youth he played little league baseball and basketball. At Beall High School he played football, basketball, golf, and tennis. He plays golf regularly and participates in several golf tournaments each year. His fortitude serves as an inspiration for others with similar handicaps. One of Robbie’s most beloved past times was coaching others in sports. He started coaching girls church league basketball in 1978 in Baltimore, MD, coached his 3 girls in church league basketball through the 80’s and then went on to coach basketball, baseball, and was always around for football at Bishop Walsh High School in the 1990’s where everyone called him Baby Baby! Although with joyful hearts that Robbie is free from earthly bounds, he will be deeply missed by his loving and devoted family: Daughter Brittany and son-in-law Ken Fleming; Daughter Marisa and son-in-law Jason Miller; Daughter Breanna and son-in-law Travis Jessie; Grandchildren Kendal and Jensen Fleming; Caleb, Evie, and Harbor Miller; Tayden, Giana, Tyiss, Luma, and Brecken Jessie; Sister Victoria (Vicky) Bowen-Wiseman and brother-in-law Larry Wiseman. Rob believed that everything happens for a reason and that we should strive to know and do the will of God. He believed that the gentleman always does the kindest thing. He believed that people were basically good and had the right to be free. He believed that bigotry and prejudice were the worst things a person could be guilty of. He believed in the golden rule and in the power of prayer. And finally he believed a good laugh, a tease, a joke, a handshake or a hug would solve many problems. Robbie lived his life with both courage and grace. In his trials, he showed how a man so enchanted by life can be at peace with life’s end. And where does that strength come from? Where is that courage learned? It is the faith of a boy who read the Bible with his mom. It is the faith of a man lying in an operating room who prayed for others before he prayed for himself. It is the faith of a man with a fearful illness who waited on the Lord to call him home. Now death has done all that death can do and we are left with the joyful hope he shared.

Family will receive friends at Sowers Funeral Home, 60 W Main Street, Frostburg, MD on Friday, August 6th from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 and Saturday, August 7th from 11:00-1:00 followed by a 1:00 Memorial Service with Rev. Helen Mency officiating. then a grave site prayer at Frostburg Memorial Park.

That same afternoon from 4:00-7:00 a Celebration of Life will be held at Bishop Walsh High School, 700 Bishop Walsh Road, Cumberland MD. An open mic will be available and friends are encouraged to share memories of Robbie.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to a place near and dear to Robbie’s heart: Bishop Walsh Athletic Association 700 Bishop Walsh Rd. Cumberland, MD 21502