Robert Travis Lowry

1941 - 2016

Robert (Bobby) Travis Lowry

Austin

February 2, 1941 - October 14, 2016

Scottish footballer Bill Shankly once quipped, "Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I can assure them it is much more serious than that," the sentiment perfectly capturing Bobby's great passion for the All-American version of the game, as well as his sense of humor.

Bobby discovered football as a young boy growing up in his West Texas hometown of San Angelo. His love for the game fueled his high school days as a quarterback, halfback, and safety, team captain, 3-year varsity letterman, and a respected leader of the San Angelo High School Bobcat football team during the late 1950s. He was truly a diehard fan of the game. A few days before he died, Bobby told his family not to hold his memorial service on a UT football game day, or any day with a "really good" game on for that matter, because he didn't want anybody to miss a football game on his account. The day after he joined his mother, Maude ("Mo") Lanford Lowry, and father, Robert Omega Lowry, in heaven, Bobby's beloved Texas Longhorns whipped Iowa State in a much-needed win and we're pretty sure that he pulled some strings for Charlie and the boys.

Although Bobby excelled in athletics, he was quietly humble and a friend to all, regardless of stripe or walk of life. His easygoing nature, warmhearted geniality, and generosity were the defining characteristics of his life, leading to much success during his career as a pharmaceutical representative, but more importantly, to an abundance of close friendships and the love of his large, extended family. If you needed a place to stay, something to eat, money to help fix your car, or just someone to lend you an ear, Bobby opened his home, his wallet, and his heart without hesitation. His family always joked that if he went to the North Pole he would surely run into a good friend, or at least come home with a new one if he didn't. Like Will Rogers, he never met a stranger. Bobby and a tight group of friends from his school days remained like brothers until the very end of his life, a brotherhood that is testament to his big heart, good humor, love of a good time, and unwavering dedication to friends and family. His closest high school friends declared last May 7th "Bobby Lowry Day" and threw him a big party in San Angelo, attended by a multitude of friends and family members from across the state and nation.

Carrying forward Bobby's memory and genial and generous spirit are daughter Laura Lauck and husband Bob; daughter Jennifer Fonken and husband Eric; grandchildren (who affectionately knew him as "Daddy Bob") Max and Samantha DeLine, Carter and Cameron Lauck, and Emily, Cara, and Will Fonken; sister Linda Spencer and husband Don; niece Sherri Goudeau and husband Nathan and family; nephew Bobby Spencer and wife Danette and family; good friend Billie Wedlund; former spouse and mother of his daughters, who remained a friend throughout his life, Ellen Cooper; an extended "adopted" family of Ellen's three stepsons and their families; and more close friends than most could hope to have over a couple of lifetimes. The family would like to thank his caregivers from Compassus hospice care- nurse Michelle Meyers and medical aide Holly Tymoczko- who provided him with wonderful and compassionate care during the past several months.

Friends and family are invited to join in a memorial service and celebration of Bobby's life from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Zilker Botanical Garden Auditorium in Austin.