Robert W. Bowers

Robert W. Bowers

Robert W. Bowers passed away June 10, 2021 at his home following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 64.

Bob was born July 28,1956 in Ithaca, NY, the youngest child of Frederick H. and Mary E. (Schultz) Bowers. Bob graduated from Ithaca High School in 1975. Instead of attending college, Bob began his working career at the age of 15 taking a job as a stock boy at the Ithaca Woolworth's store. He worked his way up through positions at the store and was nominated by the store manager for the company's management training program which he successfully completed. He went on to manage two stores for Woolworth's in Cohoes, NY and Conshohocken, PA. His experience and success caught the attention of the California-based FEDCO department store chain and he left Woolworth's to move west to begin his career with FEDCO. During his 10 year tenure with FEDCO he held various management positions at several store locations, the La Cienega store in Los Angeles being his favorite.

Bob returned home to Ithaca in 1990 and quickly found work in the insurance industry when he was hired as a Commercial Sales producer at L. D. Sprague & Son in Corning. He also met his wife Alicia while working at Sprague's and they were married on September 7, 1991 at Christ Episcopal Church, Corning. After leaving Sprague's he moved to what was then MacNamara-Carroll, Inc. (now Perry & Carroll) in Elmira, NY. In late 1997 Bob left that agency and decided he could be successful on his own. With his wife Alicia he founded Bowers & Associates, Inc. in Corning, NY which opened in February 1998 and ran successfully for 23 years until the agency was sold in April of 2021 to the David L. Sidle Agency, Inc. of Montour Falls, NY. He & Alicia also fulfilled their dream of running a Bed & Breakfast. Red Rooster Farm opened in August of 2016 and closed in October of 2019.

Bob developed his love of the outdoors as a youth growing up at the many country residences owned by his family. He loved riding motorcycles through the fields surrounding Enfield, NY and competed in motorcross racing for many years. Camping and hiking were other well loved activities, especially when they could be combined. It didn't matter if he was enjoying a camping trip in Savannah visiting family or hiking trails at one of the many local state parks, being outdoors remained an important part of his life. His most favorite activity was spending time with his family catching up on their lives. They gave him his greatest joy and he loved them dearly. Bob was also active in his churches, most recently Grace Episcopal Church, Elmira where he served on several committees and on the Vestry as Junior Warden.

Bob is survived by his wife Alicia (Fawcett) Bowers of Big Flats, brother & sister-in-law Harry & Kathleen Bowers of Ithaca; sister & brother-in-law Claire Alger & Brian Phinney of Ithaca; son & daughter-in-law Matthew & Donna Bowers of Corning; son & daughter-in-law Mitchell & Areli Bowers of Ontario, CA; daughter & son-in-law Rebecca & Joshua McGrain of Fort Huachuca, AZ; grandchildren Halla & Daughton Brill and Rowan Bowers of Corning; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Frederick H. Bowers, mother Mary E. Bowers, and brother Frederick E. Bowers.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Haughey Funeral Home, 216 E. First St., Corning with Father Donald Matthews officiating. A reception will follow the service. A service for the Committal will occur at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bob's memory be made to the following: Bampa's House, 170 E. First St., Corning NY 14830; CareFirst Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Rd, Painted Post NY 14870; or Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA, Inc., 2435 State Route 352, Elmira NY 14903.