Cowie, Jr., Robert James 1955-2008
COWIE, FOSTER, GIAMALVA, BRUENING, CURL, REED, LEWIS, BARBIER, RAYBURN, RICH, WINTERS, PROCK
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/21/2012 at 12:02:20
Robert J. Cowie, Jr., age 53, of Decorah, Iowa, died Thursday, November 6, 2008, of injuries suffered from a fall in Decorah.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, November 10, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah.
Visitation is on Monday beginning at 11:00 A.M. at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of arrangements.
Robert James Cowie, Jr. was born October 21, 1955 in Peoria, IL, son of Robert J. and Betty J. (Foster) Cowie. He was baptized and confirmed as an adult in 1992 at St. Benedict Church in Decorah, IA.
Bob was united in marriage to Kathleen Ann Giamalva on August 5, 1978 in Rockford, IL. This union was blessed with their two children, Kyleen and Seth.
On June 12, 1992, Bob was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bruening in Decorah, IA. This union was blessed with their four children: Gabrielle, Claudia, Nathaniel, and August.
Bob attended school in Illinois and graduated from Limestone High School in Bartonville, Illinois in 1972. He graduated from the University of Northern Illinois (B.A. 1977), the University of Iowa (J.D., with distinction, 1980) and obtained his Master of Laws in Taxation, from the Washington Institute for Graduate Studies in 1995. Bob joined the law firm of Miller, Pearson, Gloe, Burns, Beatty & Cowie in 1980 and became a partner shortly thereafter.
An important part of Bob’s life was the practice of law. Bob enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the law and debating legal issues. He was highly regarded in the areas of real estate, probate and trust, corporate law, as well as taxation.
Bob was a member of the Winneshiek County Bar Association (President 1983), Iowa State Bar Association and American Bar Association. He served the Iowa State Bar Association in various capacities including years of service to the Probate Council (Section Chairman 2005-2007) and the Iowa Land Title Standards Committee (2004-2008). Bob was the recipient of the Outstanding Section Leader Award in 2007 from the Iowa State Bar Association in recognition of his efforts which resulted in improvement to the law governing probate and his service to the citizens of Iowa.
Super Lawyers magazine names attorneys in each state who receive the highest point totals, as chosen by their peers and through independent research. Bob was a 2007 selection in the practice area of tax and estate planning and probate.
He was also a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Council. A lawyer cannot apply for membership in the College. Fellows are selected on the basis “of professional reputation and ability in the fields of trusts and estates and on the basis of having made substantial contributions to these fields through lecturing, writing, teaching and bar activities.” Bob contributed richly in all of these areas to the practice of law and will be greatly missed by clients, fellow lawyers, and others associated with him in the practice of law.
Bob was committed to service of the American Heart Association, having served on the local board of directors and state board of directors for several years. He served a term as President of the state organization from 1988-2000. Bob selflessly served his community in many roles. He was a longtime member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce (President 2000-2002), a member of the Decorah Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), a member of the Decorah Elks Club, Oneota Golf and Country Club, state and local Republican committees, and many other organizations. Bob took great pride in seeing Decorah remain a thriving community where everyone was welcome.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen Cowie on December 3, 1989; his grandparents Elmer and Mary Foster and Florence and Harry Cowie; and two bothers-in-law, Michael Bruening in 1999 and Steven Bruening in 2004.
Bob is survived by his wife Elizabeth of Decorah, IA, his six children: Kyleen Cowie of Chicago, IL, Seth Cowie of Iowa City, IA, Gabrielle, Claudia, Nathaniel and August Cowie all at home in Decorah; his father Robert (Ellie) Cowie, Sr. of San Diego, CA; his mother Betty Curl of Peoria, IL; two brothers, Richard (Shirlene) Cowie of Harper, TX and William (Kathy) Cowie of Peoria, IL; two sisters, Judy Reed of Richmond, VA and Debbie (Terry) Lewis of Salem, OR; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Eileen and Duane Bruening of Decorah; two sisters-in-law, Helen (Guy) Barbier of Thonon, France and Mary Rayburn of Hanover, PA; and three brothers-in-law, Dr. Frederick (Tammy) Bruening of Grand Blanc, MI, Greg Bruening of Decorah, Keith (Amy) of Decorah; and three step-sisters, Diane Rich and Ann Winters of Graymont, IL and Karen Prock of Poway, CA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the United Way.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
St. Benedict’s Catholic cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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