Robert Kenneth Bowers

1943 - 2025

Robert Kenneth Bowers

October 3, 1943 - August 22, 2025

Sacramento, California - Robert Kenneth Bowers (Bob) passed away peacefully on August 22, 2025, with his beloved wife by his side. Born in Monroe Michigan on October 3, 1943, to Kenneth and Geraldine Bowers, Bob was the oldest of eight children. At the age of 9, the family moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he graduated from Wyandotte High School. After graduation, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at various bases in the Pacific and Alaska - times he would later speak of very highly. These experiences are what he would ultimately instill in shaping his son's character and encouraging him to become a military officer and pilot - something that brought him tremendous joy. Bob finished his military duty at Travis Air Force Base which brought him to his adopted state of California, finally settling in the Sacramento area to start a new life. As an avid bowler, he bowled numerous 300 games and worked at the storied Alhambra Bowl, building quite the list of accolades and even more life-long friends. During his tenure as a bowler, Bob never shied from always bettering himself. Attending California State University, Sacramento, he not only found a love for law enforcement, but also found his partner in "crime" Tina – who he would spend the next 45 years with. He then started work with the Sacramento County Coroner's Office as an investigator, eventually becoming Chief Deputy Coroner until his retirement, thus allowing him to be a full-time family man. Bob lived a full and joyful life, marked by curiosity, humor and deep love for his family. He enjoyed playing golf and woodworking – both passions he happily shared with his son. He also enjoyed photography, gardening, watching the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland As, and most of all, cooking. Ever the experimenter in the kitchen, he especially loved making his Christmas yule log and Thanksgiving dinners, naturally complaining the turkey was always dry, even if it was perfect. Though not Italian by birth, Bob embraced the culture as a transplant into his new Italian (Tina's) family. Everyone was always welcome at his table, and he would deliver quite the feast - whether it be a spread of burgers, pizzas, and toasted peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for a pool party, or a five-course dinner served with hors d'oeuvres and a handmade dessert. You could always see his passion for cooking, as it was his trademark. He would stand by and watch others devour and enjoy his creation just like any committed chef. Seldom during a large party or event that he was hosting would you see him stopping to enjoy what he had created. That was Bob: family first and always with an exceptionally hard work ethic, attention to detail and a dry wit with perfectly timed puns. As a devoted husband, Bob was truly a genuine gentleman. He never stopped thinking of family as his priority. It was not done for show. It was simply who he was. He always opened the car door for Tina and seated her first at the dining table - even after years of marriage. He loved surprising her with flowers, especially from their garden, and writing notes and cards reminding her that he loved her.

Bob had a way of making the simplest moment feel like a gift. As Tina reflects: "I miss our conversations more than I can say: long, easy talks about cooking, music, sports, everyday life, our family. We shared countless walks together, dreaming about the future or simply enjoying the moment. He was my companion in every sense, my best friend. "And then there was his humor that could lift my heart in an instant. Bob had a beautiful smile, one that lit up not just his face, but the entire room, and everyone around him. His kindness, his steadiness and warmth were all gifts that blessed every single day of my life with him. On the day he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he gave me a big hug and said we would get through this together - always positive even until the end. He said I was his rock, but he was truly mine." Parenting together with Bob brought Tina some of the greatest joys of her life. Her happiest memories are of them sitting together at the dinner table as a family. They were both adamant that the three of them eat dinner together every night and have happy family chat. Zachary (Zac) - especially when he was very young - would pop off the most unexpected, profound, or hilarious little observations - the kind that only come from pure childhood honesty. The two would just burst out laughing. It was those moments laughing together over the surprising, innocent wisdom of a child, which brought them pure joy. As a father, Bob was always there - instilling the things he felt were most important: compassion, hard work, attention to detail, and of course, family. Being able to retire early presented him with the ability to spend ample time with his son Zac. This was time well spent going to air shows, baseball and basketball games together that fueled the proverbial flames of Zac's future success in life. Bob could always be found proudly cheering on the sideline of all his son's cross-country or track meets, jazz band performances, building competitions or taxiways - snapping away pictures like the paparazzi. However, nothing brought him more joy, besides becoming a grandfather, than seeing his son earn his wings, first as a civilian pilot (Bob, after all, was his first passenger), and then later as a military pilot: the culmination of everything he instilled in Zac. In Bob's eyes, that success was not given, it was earned (naturally with a side of sarcasm, playfulness, and "well inserted" joke. What Bob cherished most was his family. He is survived by his wife, Tina; son, Zachary; daughter-in-law Annie; and his beloved granddaughters, Brinley and Blakely (who shares her Papa's birthday). He is also survived by brothers Thomas and Bradley; sisters Kay (Chip) and Brenda (Holland) and many extended family members and close friends. He was predeceased by his siblings Patricia, Brian, and Barry. A private memorial service will be held at the Sacramento Valley Cemetery in Dixon California. Donations in Bob's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research. Always in our hearts.