AUBURN — Robert Perkins Bowen Sr., 83, passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, March 16, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice in Auburn.

Robert was born April 19, 1933, in Lewiston, to William Andrew Bowen Sr. and Verna Perkins Bowen. He grew up in Durham and was educated at the Parker School in Durham through the 7th grade. He then went to work with his father in the woods. He married Shirley Louise Goding, the love of his life, on Sept. 28, 1957, at Marstons Corner Church. Robert lived at his home on 255 Harmons Corner Road, Auburn, for 57 years, with his loving wife Shirley; where they raised four wonderful children, raised farm animals, planted and harvested numerous fruits and vegetables.

He worked for Bert Langelier driving trucks and cleaning chicken coops for many years, then became a security officer at St. Mary’s Hospital for several years. He retired from Bates College on April 28, 1995, where he worked for 13 years as a custodian. He enjoyed racing cars himself as a young man, camping, going to Moosehead, watching NASCAR racing and attending the races in Loudon.

Robert loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and most recently his great-grandchildren who brought him some of the greatest joy in life. He loved going “upta camp” in Hartford. Robert loved his TV remote and telephone, which were always with him in his chair. He enjoyed watching polka music, old country and Western music, Lifetime TV, Wheel of Fortune, and his news daily with Shirley. He read the Sun Journal newspaper faithfully, and looked forward to getting his mail everyday. Robert loved Shirley’s cooking and her delicious pies and desserts. He liked his sweets and always had candy or chocolate nearby. Robert was a hard working, smart, honest, to the point, gentle, simple, determined, frugal, and a genuine and loving man. He will be greatly missed but remembered and loved by all who knew him. Most of all, his values will be carried on through his family and his stories will be retold through the generations.

He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Bowen, who he committed and dedicated his love to forever; children, Robert Bowen Jr. and wife, Debbie, Linda Haley, Cindy Corriveau and husband, Daniel, David Bowen and significant other, Dianne Irving; siblings, Donald Bowen, Barbara Morin, Nancy Bean, Beverly Eveleth, Janice Cloutier, Sandra Bowie, William Bowen Jr. and Brenda Bowen; grandchildren, Kerri Rogerson, Jennifer Lee, Sheena Haley, Katreena Meserve, Tarrah Bowen, Tina Foster, Andrew Bowen, Shane Haley, Brent Bowen, Nathan Bowen, Desiree Wuthenow, Amy St.Pierre and Scott Corriveau; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, William Bowen Sr. and Verna Perkins Bowen; brother, Kenneth Bowen; and son-in-law, Gary Haley.

Condolences and a video tribute may found online at www.albert-burpee.com.

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