Robert U. Bowman, Colonel, USAF Retired, passed away on January 19, 2024, at the age of 89, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, with his loving family surrounding him.

Robert "Bob" was born in Detroit, Mich. on March 31, 1934. He attended Cooley High School in Detroit, and Michigan State University. He had 4 years of Air Force ROTC and was the only Distinguished Military Graduate in 1954. He entered the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. He had an Air Force career of 28 years, and retired as a Colonel.

Bob was in the Strategic Air Command for 6 years, flying as the Navigator/bombardier on a B-47. He obtained a Master's Degree in Computer Science at Texas A&M. He had many assignments around the world, spent a year in Viet Nam, two tours of duty on the Air Staff at the Pentagon, and two tours of duty at Scott Air Force Base. His last job before retiring was at Scott Air Force Base as the Director of Computer Operations for the Military Airlift Command worldwide.

Bob met his future wife, Kathryn Ann "Kay" Muench in high school when they were both 15. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kay, three adoring daughters, Laura Kay (John) Howland, Lynn Frances (Larry) Liefer, and Diane Violet (Steve Zilke) Reeves. Bob also leaves his brother, Garry James (Judith) Bowman, his sister Linda Bowman (Jim) Perna, seven granddaughters, two grandsons and eleven great grandchildren.   Grandchildren are Alison Alvord (Chris) Carlson, Rebecca Alvord (Tom) Lazenby, Lisa Alvord Johnson, Sean Robert Easlick, Andrea Easlick (Rajesh) Shankar, Kathleen Anne Easlick, Kayla Marie Liefer, Samuel Warren Reeves and Amelia Anne Reeves. Great-grandchildren are Hayes Carlson, Arden Carlson, Axel Carson, Heston Lazenby, Leif Lazenby, Lila Johnson, Willa Johnson, Evelyn Shankar, Bodhin Shankar, Kendall Shankar and Leonardo Liefer. Bob (Bobpa) provided many wonderful, happy memories for all his children, and he will be greatly missed. Everyone who knew Bob said he was a great conversationalist, always a gentleman, always kind, a wonderful friend, and was greatly respected and loved.

Bob and Kay loved to travel and had several trips around Europe. His R&R from Viet Nam, was a 2-week vacation in Thailand with Kay. They enjoyed playing golf together, boating, water skiing, and most of all loved having fun with family and friends.  A favorite enjoyment was going to St. Louis Symphony concerts and Belleville Philharmonic concerts. They had 68 years of a very happy marriage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ulmont James Bowman and Violet Williams Bowman, his brother Richard Bowman, and sister Delores Bowman  Sweany.

Visitation: 3-7 pm, Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill., and at 10 am, Monday, January 29, 2024 at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Hwy 50, O'Fallon.

Funeral Service: 11 am, Monday, January 29, 2024 at the church, with Pastor Don Long officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Memorials could be given to the Belleville Philharmonic Society or a charity of your choice. Online guestbook is available at www.wfh-ofallon.com