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E. Robert "Bob" Owen

E. Owen Obituary

Of Topeka, KS, 71, passed away Friday, October 5, 2007. Bob was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. He went to school in St. Louis Park, MN and participated in a variety of sports including football, baseball, and co-captain of the hockey team. After graduating from high school, Bob was recruited by Harvard University. He graduated in June of 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. While attending Harvard, he played on the Varsity hockey team and was awarded the Angier Trophy in 1956-57, all Ivy League (1956-58), and all East in 1958. After graduating from Harvard and while serving his country he was selected as a member of the U.S. National Hockey Team and played in the World Hockey Tournament in Prague (Prog), Czechoslovakia in 1959. He also qualified and was named Alternate Captain for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won Gold in Squaw Valley, CA. The 1960 team in the original Miracle on Ice and remains the only U.S. Olympic Hockey Team to be undefeated and untied in Olympic competition. After his college days and Olympic glory, he started his own business career with Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, SD while pursuing his MBA with the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business. He earned his degree in 1964 with a major in finance and minor in marketing. Bob served with the army reserves from 1959-1964 and received an honorable discharge. Looking for a nice place to settle down and raise a family, he visited Topeka, he must have liked it as it has been his home ever since. From 1968-1972 he worked for Bill Lewis Realtors. From 1973-1979 he was an instructor with the Washburn University School of Business. From 1980-1998 he was a self employed small business consultant. Since retiring he received a number of service awards from such organizations as the Vietnam Veterans Assoc. and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs for his volunteer work in the community. Bob is survived by his son, Robert Owen, Great Britain, UK. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Tues. October 16th at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd., TOPEKA, KS 66614. Graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the E. Robert Owen Memorial Fund, to help aspiring hockey players, sent to Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 SW 29th St., Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66614. Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

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Published by Boston Globe on Oct. 12, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for E. Owen

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Lynn Pardue

October 17, 2007

Not until today, when I saw the front page, did I realize that Bob had died. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Our son and his son were preschool pals and Troop 10 boy scouts together, therefore we got to know Bob's broad smile and his gentle, quiet spirit as he would watch them either at play as toddlers or getting home from a Colorado camping trip as teenagers. We offer our sincere condolences to all who knew Bob Owen.

Jeanette Mathias

October 16, 2007

Bob was a kind and delightfully funny man. He was willing to share his thoughts and experiences with others. I will always remember his willingness to share "hockey" with my children and their classes. I will miss him. Jeanette Mathias

Allen Hughes

October 16, 2007

Bob was a true hero to all the young people he came in contact with. He was always ready with a story for my son Dakota. My son treats Bob as a true hero. Bob was my friend and We will miss him.

Karen & Marty Voss

October 15, 2007

Bob's son Robert is our beloved son-in-law. It was our privilege to meet Bob on several joyous family occasions, and we are saddened by the loss to Rob and Jessica. We extend our sympathy to Bob's relatives and friends.

John Barrett

October 15, 2007

John B. Barrett Harvard college 1957

I had a wonderful visit with Bob in Topeka in 1999 and talked with him by phone September 2007 when he seemed well and happy. I would like to get to know his son - a chemist I believe - I know Bob's teammates Lyle Guttu, Dave Beadie, Dan Ullyot, Rabbit McVey,John Copeland and others. I have electronic copies of the 1956 and 1957 Pi Eta Club photos if anyone would like a copy. Other mutual friends were Tom Fritz, Jimmy Neher, Jack Hennessy, Bob Connors, Billy Collins, Mike Graney, Dick Reilly, Bob Shaunessy, Peter Bragdon, Damon Mezzacappa, Mike Prichard and many more. I audited William Bullitt's Swift-eighteenth-century English lit course when Bobby Owen was taking it. Frank Bachinsky, Bob Sophios, Dick Mackinnon, John Soucek, Al Velie and family were other wonderful friends from that time.

God bless - Bob had strong faith in God, as everyone should.

I Hope to see Bob and Everyone in Heaven, God willing.

John Barrett

Gunnar Sundby

October 12, 2007

I was a student in the School of Business at Washburn and was so excited during Oylmpic fever in 1974. I mentioned how I was a huge supporter of the Swedish Hockey Team (my parents immigrated from Sweden) and Prof. Owen told me about his years as an amateur hockey player and his Olympic success. We connected and I enjoyed many more conversations with the professor until I graduated in 1975.I was saddened to hear of his departure and I wanted others and his family to know that he was a fine teacher and made an impression upon me and others during his tenure at Washburn.

Phyllis Ohm Clemants

October 12, 2007

I have such fond memorýes of Bob....as a neýghbor growýng up...as someone born on the same day (our mothers knew one another from the hospýtal)...and as a brýllýant and fun classmate....soooo sad....
(Written in Turkey upon hearing about Bob's death.)

Larry,Brenda,Brandon&Jarrod Mason

October 11, 2007

There will be a great void left in this tight-knit hockey community of friends. Bob was such a wonderful friend to our boys and to us. He always had a smile on his face and a story to tell. We will miss him more than words can say. There will always be a void in our hearts. Rest in Peace Dear Friend

Arch Ecker

October 11, 2007

Bob was an absolute treasure here in Topeka. Though I didn't get to know him very long, I was instantly drawn in by his warmth and passion for the game. I will always remember the day he picked me up and took me to lunch out at Puffy's.... he was a big fan of "out of the way" eateries. To watch his steel blue eyes dance as he recalled his playing days was an absolute delight. He will be greatly missed by many. My prayers are with his family and extended family.

Nancy Janes-Gamson

October 11, 2007

In the words of John Denver: "They can threaten tomorrow and mess-up today, but they can't touch yesterday". Ah, the memories...laughing until our faces ached at the humor of the Owen-Norbury sports team during 6th hour school paper class.....freezing until our faces went numb along the hockey boards during OUTDOOR games.....remembering junior prom and lots of fishing....worrying, as two mid-western hicks headed east to college. But, even new to the Ivy League, a star is a star. Thinking of "odor" always made me smile, and after this sadness...will again.

Bob at Mack Lake 1953

Bill Westerdahl

October 11, 2007

A quick wit, a twinkle in the eye, a mischievous grin, and a great friend. It's time to discover what is at the end of the portage.

Connie Hanson

October 11, 2007

The Topeka Sunflower Festival will not be the same without Bob sitting on the back row in the balcony at Washburn. He knew so much about classical music, I learned from him. It was great to see Robert in the symphony playing cello, Bob was so proud of him.So much to love about Bob.

Selena Owen-McNaul

October 11, 2007

Bob was such a wonderful man, he had a way of making you feel like you had known him forever. There will be a sadness in the hearts of everyone who knew him that will always be felt. Thank you Bob, for educating this Alabama girl on the ins and outs of the hockey world you will be greatly missed.

Ruu and Ginger Chang

October 11, 2007

Everyone in our Tai Chi club will miss having Bob at class. Such a sweet man. We will dedicate the rest of this session to him....saving a spot for him and remembering his smile. It was an honor to have him as a friend and student.

Birdie Westerdahl

October 11, 2007

I have such fond memorýes of Bob....as a neýghbor growýng up...as someone born on the same day (our mothers knew one another from the hospýtal)...and as a brýllýant and fun classmate....soooo sad....As relayed to me from Turkey when she got the news.

Dawn and Peter F. Lindner and our sons, Sam, Ted, Tom & Ben ([email protected])

October 11, 2007

Well, it's a sad time for all who knew and loved Bob. If you remember the Bob Newhart show, Bob was our Howard. Bob was a loyal friend. He was part of our family for about the last 27 yrs. He was a creature of habit. My husband, Peter managed the Prospect Hill apartments where Bob lived 27 years ago. Bob and his son, Robbie would play pool. We practically watched Robbie grow up. Bob was very proud of his son and his son's wife. When it was time for Bob to buy a house, Peter sold him his house. Bob was a dear friend and we will sorely miss his smiling face and bright eyes. He always liked honking his horn and scaring me whenever I was out mowing. Bob never had a bad thing to say about anybody. I thank the Lord for the friendship we shared with Bob.
...We love you E. Robert Owen.

Lowell and June Holland

October 11, 2007

It was my priviledge to serve with Bob on the Northeast Kansas Korean War Memorial committee. He was most congenial and pleasant to work with. He made a significant contribution to the city of Topeka and will be greatly missed.

Lowell and June Holland

Diane Nicholson

October 11, 2007

Bob was a true gentleman. He gave so much of himself to the veteran community. I never saw Bob without a smile on his face. I know those of us in Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America in Topeka will miss him terribly.

Connie Hanson

October 11, 2007

Bob was great friend and traveler; we helped each other during our many years of friendship. He was the smartest trivia player that we couldn't beat. He said all that trivia he knew wasn't worth much, great sense of humor. I will sure miss him.

Birdie Westerdahl

October 11, 2007

My memories of you go back to high school days and the "prom". Thank you for being the good friend you were and we'll miss your pleasant company on our way to AZ. You leave a great legacy and may you rest in peace.

Nick Casarona

October 11, 2007

Bob was a great man that will be greatly missed by many. We will all be forever thankful for the impact he had on the hockey community and the kids of Topeka! My thoughts and prayers are with the family during these sad times!

Laird and Marcia Shuart

October 11, 2007

We will remember Bob for his great smile, attendance at all Randolph school events, and the wonderful way he had with our younger son Blake when he was a baby....

David helstrom

October 11, 2007

Thank You Bob
Rest In Peace

October 11, 2007

Thank You Bob
Rest in Peace

Joseph Christian Kramer

October 11, 2007

I will remember his smile, his willingness to help, to share a good story or a good laugh.

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