Robert A. Owen

CYNTHIANA- Robert A. Owen, 88, Leesburg, VA, formerly of Cynthiana, died June 17, 2006 in Arizona. He was born in Cynthiana January 20, 1918 to Sterling P. Owen Jr. and Lillian A. Owen, who with a brother, Sterling P. Owen III, predeceased him. Survivors include wife Mary Elizabeth Howk Owen, son Robert (Nancy) Owen Jr., Cynthiana, daughter Ann Flynn (Harold) Duncan, Scottsdale, AZ, son Mark (Martine) Owen, Germantown, MD, brother Jack H. Owen, Cynthiana, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. He attended KY Military Institute, Louisville, Washington and Lee University and the University of Kentucky. From 1937 to 1945, he was a tobacco buyer for the S.P. Owen Tobacco Co., a government tobacco inspector and an engine tester for Wright Aeronautical Corp. From 1945 to 1954, he was manager of the S.P. Owen Tob. Company, New Dixie Tob. Whse. and the Dixie Sales and Storage Co. He was a founding member and Secretary/Treasurer of the Cynthiana Chamber of Commerce and member of the Tobacco Board of Trade, School Board, Rotary Club, and Harrison Co. Businessmen's Assoc. In 1954, he was appointed Director, Tobacco Div., Foreign Agricultural Serv., USDA, Wash., D.C. and moved to Chevy Chase, MD. By retirement in 1980, he had visited 93 foreign countries promoting U.S. tobacco, served on a commission to foster the use of the Metric System, and had attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and Foreign Service Inst. He was made a Kentucky Colonel for his outstanding work. He was active in Toastmasters International, serving as National Capital District Governor and as an International Director. A recognized public speaker, he received a TI Distinguished Speaker Diploma. In 1998, he and Mary moved to Leisure World in Leesburg, VA and this year celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Services will be held at the Cynthiana Christian Church on Friday, June 30th, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Cynthiana Battle Grove Cemetery.