Robert Henry Towell Sr.

Robert Henry Towell (Bob) lived his life as a faithful Christian and a devoted son, husband, father, uncle, father-in-love, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Born on February 19, 1931, in Weiser, Idaho, Bob passed away on March 12, 2024, at home in Round Rock, Texas, at the age of 93. He comes from and leaves us with a long heritage of faithfulness and devotion.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Janice Reagan Towell; son Robert (Judy) Towell, Jr. of Bryan, TX; daughter Judy (Mel) Witcher of Austin, TX; brother Dick Towell of Puyallup, WA; grandsons Jonathan (Lori) Towell of Lubbock, TX, Daniel (Stephanie) Witcher of Neosho, MO; granddaughters Laura (Brian) Metz of Northwood, NH, Reagan (Travis) Guthrie of Edmund, OK, Hannah (Alex) Meredith of Gwinn, MI, and Emily Witcher of Austin, TX; as well as eleven great-grandchildren and extended family and friends around the world. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Leroy.
Bob was the oldest of 3 sons. His father, Henry, was a preacher, well-known throughout the western states. The brothers enjoyed many adventures together, including a science experiment in the attic which left a hole in the ceiling and required apologies to the neighbors for the fright it caused. Bob met the love of his life, Jan, when they were both members of the same wedding party. She caught his eye immediately and the rest is history. They were married August 26, 1955 in Kansas City, Kansas, and honeymooned on their drive to Raleigh, North Carolina, where Bob finished his schooling. After graduation, Bob and Jan moved to North Augusta, South Carolina, where Bob turned his early interest in science and math into a career as a nuclear scientist working at the Savannah River Plant for 30 years. He and Jan later moved to Washington, D.C. to work for another 13 years for the Department of Energy and Eagle Research as an expert in the transportation of radioactive materials.
While they were in South Carolina, their children Rob and Judy were born. Bob was a hands-on Daddy who delighted in his family, taking them on many memorable weekends to the Charleston beach and cross-country road trips each summer in a station wagon towing a pop-up camper trailer. He was always immensely proud of his children and of their accomplishments, particularly in piano and band. Bob served as the scoutmaster of the local Boy Scout troop for years, becoming an influential father figure to many young men. He led the family (and Boy Scout troop) in many projects, including building a huge retaining wall and pool in the backyard and wood-working in the basement. He was instrumental in establishing the North Augusta church of Christ in the 60's and later served as an elder there and in Olney, Maryland. After the kids were grown he went on more adventures with Jan throughout the Northeast while they lived in the D.C. area, on mission trips to Romania, Ukraine, New Zealand, and Thailand, as well as adventures to Greece and Ireland. Bob and Jan also developed and led Marriage Seminars for a number of years in various homes, blessing many young couples with their insights and wisdom for marriage.
Upon retirement to Round Rock, at the age of 70, Bob joyfully threw himself into enjoying time with his grandchildren and teaching himself new skills such as baking bread and sewing his own curtains and Barbie clothes for Emily. The grandchildren and great-children treasure many special memories of family traditions, including making strawberry shortcake with PapaBob for breakfast during the holidays.
Upon his retirement Bob joined Jan in her work with the World English Institute. Bob's passion for helping others shines through in his support of WEI. To paraphrase the words of Dick Ady (founder of WEI): More than anyone else, Jan, Bob, and their grandson Jonathan are responsible for bringing WEI out of the dark ages of international postal teaching into the 21st century of the internet. By paying out of their own pockets for the development of the original WEI teaching website, Bob and Jan laid up infinite treasures in heaven. Untold thousands of students who have been led to Christ will ultimately join them in heaven and thank them for the eternal impact that they have had on their lives.We weep for ourselves as we say goodbye for a while, yet, at the same time, we all rejoice over Bob's victory in Jesus.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the World English Institute.