Robert Fowler Jr.

1935 - 2016

Robert E. "Bob" Fowler, Jr. passed away Saturday, November 19, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois, surrounded by his family. Bob was born in Camden, Tennessee, on October 7, 1935, to Robert E. Fowler, Sr. and Rebecca W. Fowler. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Elizabeth Ann Fowler. Bob is survived by his wife, Kelly E. Fowler; children Robert E. Fowler III (Kathanne), William A. Fowler (Lisa), Margaret F. Howes (Chris); stepdaughter Karly E. Kikkert; and grandchildren Chesleigh Fowler, Julia Fowler, Maggie Howes, Caroline Fowler, and Will Fowler. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Ayers (John). Bob was raised in Huntingdon, Tennessee. He was an All-Vol Conference football player, a member of the marching band, and valedictorian. Upon graduation from Carroll County High School, he accepted a Naval ROTC scholarship to Vanderbilt University. In 1957, after earning a degree in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt, Bob began a distinguished business career spanning 42 years and stretching across the globe. Upon graduation, he joined General Electric Company in the management training program and worked there for 24 years. He spent most of his time with GE at Appliance Park in Louisville, Kentucky, in a variety of management positions. He was appointed Vice President of the Manufacturing Division (Appliances) at GE in 1978 at the age of 41, becoming one of the youngest Vice Presidents in the company's history at that time. In 1981, Bob was named President and Chief Operating Officer at Rubbermaid Incorporated in Wooster, Ohio. During his six-year tenure at Rubbermaid, the company's sales more than doubled through strategic acquisitions and internal growth. Bob was then named Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Josephson Office Products of Chicago and spent four years in that position. For the next two years, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of BCC Industrial Services, a subsidiary of Butler Capital, a New York venture capital firm. In 1993, Bob joined The Vigoro Corporation in Chicago as President and Chief Operating Officer. He served in that role until March 1996, when Vigoro merged with IMC Global. Subsequently, he became President and Chief Operating Officer of the merged company. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of IMC Global in 1996 and Chairman of the Board in 1997, a position he held until his retirement in 1999. Bob served on numerous corporate boards, including Rubbermaid Incorporated, Arvin Industries, Manville Corporation, The Vigoro Corporation, IMC Global, Josephson Office Products, Ball Corporation, Alltrista Corporation, Anixter International, and The Federal Reserve Board of Louisville. He was also involved in a number of charitable organizations, including The American Cancer Society, and he served as a board member of both the Chicago Christian Industrial League and Actors Theater of Louisville, Kentucky. He received Louisville's Business Committee for the Arts award. Bob was a fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs and treasured his time at his cabin in Saugatuck, Michigan. Throughout his successful business career, he never forgot his small town roots and treated those around him with honesty and dignity. He will be remembered as a man of great integrity and extraordinary work ethic, with a quick wit and contagious laugh. It is not enough to say that he was a devoted husband, a dedicated father, and a loyal friend to many. Those who knew Bob best knew that what brought him the greatest joy was the time he could spend with family and friends. Those who knew him in business will remember most his vast accomplishments. Those who knew him as Bob, husband, Dad, and Grandad ("King") will remember the warm and gentle giant he was. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church (North Michigan Avenue and Delaware Place) in Chicago on Monday, December 19, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fourth Presbyterian Church in his honor (www.fourthchurch.org).