Robert A. Mowry

Robert A. Mowry

Williamsburg

Robert A. Mowry, 91, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026 from a longtime illness, surrounded by his family. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am, Thursday, January 8, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Iowa. A Rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm with visitation to follow until 7:00 pm, Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg, Iowa. Graveside Services with Military Honors Conducted by Marion American Legion Post #298 will be at 2:30 pm Thursday, January 8, at Linwood Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Bob was born on May 9, 1934 to Daniel L Mowry and Lucille (Morden) Mowry. He grew up in his grandparents’ home in Tipton, Iowa, where he graduated High School in 1952. After High School, he joined the Navy and did his bootcamp in San Diego. From there, he was assigned to the Navy Special Weapons Unit 1233 in Albuquerque, N.M., where he was trained to work on Atomic bombs. During his last assignment, he participated in Operation Redwing in Marshall Islands, where he witnessed 17 Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Tests. After serving 4 years in the Navy, he attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for two and a half years. While living there he met his first wife, Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Busche. They were married on August 18, 1959. Together they had 5 children, Chris, Catherine, Angela, Mary and Valerie. They lived in Oelwein for 4 years before moving to Lowden, where Bob operated the Lowden Meat Locker for 6 years. He then went to work at Oscar Mayer Foods in Davenport as a Production Supervisor for 27 years and also the Quad City Times concurrently for 8 years, before retiring in 1996.

Bob’s philosophy in life was being involved in his community. He served as Mayor of Lowden for 6 years, was on the Clarence-Lowden School Board for 6 years, 4 years as President, and was one of 5 men who formed the Lowden Development Corporation which built the 3/30 Golf and Country Club. He also was active in the Cedar County ARC and helped start the Cedar County Work Activity for Mentally Handicapped Adults. Bob belonged to the Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight, District Deputy, and as a state delegate to the national convention. He was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. He is also a member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans and member of the Navy Nuclear Weapons Association, where he earned the honor of the Gray Dragon. Bob was honored when he was selected by United Way of Eastern Iowa as a community hero to carry the Olympic torch as the Olympic flame came through Iowa City on its way to Atlanta, Ga., for the Olympics in 1996. Having been retired in 1996, Bob worked as a volunteer at the Olympic games in Atlanta for three weeks. He and Betty moved to Marion in 1997. He went back to work as a Security Guard at Rockwell Collins for 6 years and part time for Murdock Funeral Home for 20 years. Bob also served on the Board of Discovery Living for 20 years. He and Betty were married for 51 years until she passed away on September 22, 2010. They enjoyed dancing, attending their children’s sporting events, camping, and family vacations, going to Iowa football games, and watching their son coach basketball. Going to a dance a year later he met Elaine Martin Hanson. They were married on June 30, 2012 and moved to Williamsburg, Iowa. They enjoyed life together dancing, playing cards, multiple cruising and traveling trips and watching their grandchildren’s events.

He is survived by his Wife, Elaine, his son Chris (Gail) Mowry, Catherine (Alfonso) Perez, Angie (Scott) Daughtery, Mary (Don) Roberts. 2 Grandsons, 9 Granddaughters. 4 Great-granddaughters, 1 Great-grandson, 4 Stepchildren, Diana (Russ) Nichols, Mark (Lisa) Hanson, Angie (Scott) Westcott, Marty (Rachael) Hanson, 10 Stepgrandchildren, and 18 Step-great-grandchildren; 2 half sisters, Barbara and Reba, several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William, sister Danna Lu, his first Wife, Betty, daughter Valerie Sue and stepson Mitch Hanson.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials can go to Discovery Living Group Homes in Cedar Rapids.