Obituaries
Robert J. Dowie, 87
Robert J. Dowie, 87, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Lancaster General Hospital.
He was the husband of Anna Eggers Dowie, with whom he celebrated 63 years of marriage this past June 7th. Born in Clairton, PA, he was the son of the late Robert R. and Amanda E. Burkholder Dowie. He was a 1941 graduate of Clairton High School, and also a graduate of Gettysburg College.
Robert had been the vice president and member of the board of directors for the G. C. Murphy Company for 38 years.
A US Army veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, he served in the Pacific Theater and the China-Burma-India Theater in World War II as a Technician 4th Grade with the Signal Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1948, and served as a heavy weapons instructor with the 101st Airborne Division, being discharged as a 1st Lt. in 1952.
Robert was the Past National Commander of the China-Burma-India World War II Veterans Assn, serving from 1989 to 1999. He had also been a 60 year member of the Somerset Masonic Lodge 358. Robert had served as Mayor of Pleasant Hills Borough. He was a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and had served on the Manheim Twp. Planning Commission.
In addition to his wife, Robert is survived by his daughters Diana L. Morrow of Sacramento, CA and Marsha married to Louis Ruttkay of Lancaster, PA; his son Robert R. married to Margaret Stanley Dowie of Dormont, PA, and by his 2 grandchildren Anna and Leslie Ruttkay.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 from 1-2PM at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd. Lancaster, PA 17601, with the Funeral Service to follow at 2PM. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Robert’s memory to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church or to Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17606. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr Funeral Home & Crematory 560-5100
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It was my honor to aid in his health care. Bob & you are in my prayers.
Kat @ Cardiac Consultants
Anna,
Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family. We are saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. When we bought your home on Pointe Blvd., we promised Bob that we would continue to fly the American Flag on the flagpole. We do so in honor of him and all Veteran’s who have fought for our freedom.
God Bless,
Pam Vnenchak, Grant Beauchamp and family.
To Anna and Family:
Thank you, Anna, for taking time to call me on Sunday, February 20, 2011 to tell me about my old friend, Bob. You and Bob, Fran and I have traveled a great many miles across this great country to attend reunions of the China-Burma-India Veterans Association. Bob and I also traveled many times alone, as well, as you remember. We enjoyed the fellowship of our fellow CBI Veterans and their families, as well as the travels involved. I remember Bob going to sleep at night, listening to basketball games.
As we anticipated, our ranks have thinned considerably since World War II. We never forgot those experiences of our service in the Far East. They were unique for our time. We never forgot our comrades, either.
As long as I have memory, I shall remember, as did you, my friend. May you now rest in eternal peace. The trials of life are over. May God’s blessing be with you always, and with your Anna and family.
National CBI Chaplain, and Past National Commander, Wendall A. Phillips, Bethlehem, PA
My sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. I often heard wonderful stories about him from Dianna. Please know that Dianna’s Aerojet family is keeping you in their thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Patti Covey
Marsha, Lou, Anna and family,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy. My thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time. He was a man with great integrity!
May God Bless you.
Sincerely
Anne Gerz, Receptionist
