Robert Dean BOWMAN

BOWMAN, GAULKE, NORTHROP, SCHNELL, FLYNN, CALVERT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/2/2015 at 14:21:20

September 7, 1939 ---- December 27, 2014

Robert D. Bowman, 75, of DeLand, Florida slipped into God’s hands the evening of December 27, 2014. Robert, the son of Frank and Edith (Northrop) Bowman was born September 7, 1939 in Iowa City, Iowa. Robert grew up in Clarion, attending school in Clarion graduating with the class of 1959. Robert was born with Cerebral Palsy which left the entire left side of his body paralyzed. He later developed Myasthenia Gravis which weakened his muscles even more, despite these issues he still lived a full life and these disabilities never stopped him. He suffered a massive heart attack on Christmas Day. Robert worked at the Moore Hotel in Clarion as night auditor until its closure. He then moved to Waverly, Iowa, to be closer to his sister Betty (Bowman) Gaulke and lived at Waverly Manor. He worked for the First Methodist Church in Waverly, as caretaker and making sure the building and grounds were secure after hours. He enjoyed getting to know people there, visiting, playing cards and traveling. Robert visited his sister Mary (Bowman) Schnell at each military installation she and her family were living. He visited Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Mexico and Kentucky, New York City, Germany spending a month with the Schnell’s and visited Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Germany; Darmstadt, Germany; and Bertchesgarten, Germany; Alabama, Maryland, DC and Florida. He moved to Florida in 2010 to be close to family.

Robert is survived by his sister, Mary (Bowman) Schnell of DeLand, FL; Brother-in-Law Eugene L. Gaulke, DeLand FL (who has been more like a brother to both Robert and Mary than an in-law); nephews Jeffrey Schnell (Sara) of DeLand. Florida, Douglas Bowman (Sylvia), Wyoming, Dennis Bowman (Paula) of AZ, Dale (Tammy) of Denver, CO; nieces Kathy (Gaulke) Flynn (Larry) of Orange City, FL, Julie (Bowman) Calvert (Jerry) of Surprise, AZ, Roxanne Bowman Canton, KS, Roberta (Patchin) Gaulke of Urbandale, IA, (wife of Craig Gaulke), and many great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his mother in 1970, and his father in 1962, his sister Virginia Mae Bowman in 1925, his brother Richard in 1997, his sister Betty (Gaulke) in 1990, nephew Craig Gaulke in 2010, as well as his grandparents Robert and Mary Bowman, George and Nellie Northrop, and many aunts and uncles.
Condolences may be sent to Mary Schnell, 111 E. Villa Capri Circle, Apt C, DeLand, FL 32724; Mr. & Mrs. Larry Flynn, 576 Perry Street, Orange City, FL 32763; Eugene L. Gaulke 114 E. Villa Capri Circle, Apt A, DeLand, FL 32724

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