Robert Clifford Cowen

On September 13, 2024, surrounded by family at home at age 102, Robert Clifford Cowen passed peacefully from this life into life eternal. Bob was born in Nashville, Tennessee on August 4, 1922.

He received an appointment to West Point Academy, but after failing a physical because of a scar on his lung, he attended Vanderbilt University. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Bob joined the United States Navy and was sent to Georgia Tech to study engineering. From there, Bob went to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York to midshipmen’s school. In January of 1945, he was commissioned as a United States Navy Ensign. He was assigned to an old destroyer, which had been converted into a minesweeper, where he was an engineering officer. 

After World War II, Bob returned to Vanderbilt and upon graduation went to work as an engineer for the Nashville Gas Company. It was in Nashville that he met the love of his life, the beautiful Jeanne Alice Jakes, who would be his devoted wife for 68 years. 

Bob was recalled to the Navy to serve in the Korean Conflict, so the newlyweds reported to Boston, Massachusetts and then Newport, Rhode Island. After almost two years in the Navy, they returned to civilian life in Tennessee. In 1956, Bob joined UniMac, a manufacturer of commercial laundry equipment, and moved his young family to Ft. Lauderdale to operate the plant. In 1961 they moved to Atlanta, and Bob became owner of UniMac. Looking for a place to relocate the manufacturing plant, they learned of suitable space at the Industrial Park in Marianna, Florida. In 1965, the Cowen family moved to what would be their home for almost 60 years. Bob was a leader in his community and church for over five decades. He served Marianna as a member of the city council and as mayor. He was an active member of the Rotary club, which he served as president. 

Bob was blessed with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His family was always the center of his life, and he spent many hours on the road as he supported his children and grandchildren. They will forever cherish memories of his immeasurable love. Vanderbilt football games, the mountains of Western North Carolina, and his house at Mexico Beach were among his favorite places to enjoy time with his family.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Jakes Cowen, his parents, Edith (Hooper) and Douglas Cowen, and sister Anne Cowen Beauchamp.

Bob is survived by his children, Gary Cowen (Julie) of Jasper, Alabama, daughter, Kimberly (Ed Ivy), of Danville, California and son, Robert Cowen, Jr, (Cam) of Birmingham, Alabama. His grandchildren are Amy (Mike Chitwood), Garrison Cowen, Sallie Cowen, Jeb Cowen, Catherine (John Michael Fine), Elizabeth (Tyler Palmquist), Robert Cowen III (Chloe), Jack Ivy and Cade Ivy, and great-grandson Jack Fine.

Family will receive friends at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel, Marianna, FL, Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 4-6 PM.

The family will receive friends Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 12 noon at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home 660 Thompson Ln. Nashville, TN 37204.

Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 1 pm. Honorary Pallbearers will be Garrison Cowen, Jeb Cowen, Robert Cowen III, Jack Ivy, Cade Ivy, Mike Chitwood, John Michael Fine, and Tyler Palmquist.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 4437 Clinton Street, Marianna, Florida, 32446, or to a charity of your choice (https://www.legacy.com/charity/memorial-charity-donations/?cobrand=dothaneagle). 

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Chris Christopher, Johnny and Vikki Milton, and Bob’s caregiver, Brenda Porter for their tireless and loving care.

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel of Marianna, Florida is in charge of arrangements.