Robert "Bob" Cowels

Robert "Bob" Cowels was born September 7, 1928, in Cleveland Ohio. He is the son of Charles & Helen Cowels (deceased) of Kalamazoo, MI. He had one sister, Virginia M. Kerney (deceased), also of Kalamazoo, MI.

In 1946 Robert graduated from the St. Augustine High School in Kalamazoo, MI.

A devoted husband, Robert and Janet have been married for 74 years (October 7, 1950). They have lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Waukesha, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Bennington, Nebraska; and Otsego, Michigan.

Robert has been privileged to be a life member of both the 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus Counsel. He originally joined the Council in 1955 in Kalamazoo, MI. He and Janet returned to Michigan in 1969 where he became the Faithful Navigator and served in that position for a total of 5 years. Robert devoted his time to many other projects for the Church.

Robert has been a professional salesman most of his life. He owned and operated his own food and merchandise brokerage business in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and was a sales manager for Buttercup Foods Company in Omaha, Nebraska where he covered 13 states. Mostly he loved selling cars. He was a car salesman for Orrin B Hayes; Kalamazoo Chrysler; and 13 years with Don Seely Ford. His motto for "BOB" was "Big On Bargains".

Finally, he loved raising the Registered Polled Hereford Cattle on the JB Ranch in Otsego, MI which has been his home and final resting place.

From this union they raised 5 children: Celeste McEwen (Curt), David Cowels (Carol), Cynthia Crittendon (Dennis), Daniel Cowels (Debbie), and Camille Stuedemann (John). Robert and Janet are devout Christians and raised their children in the Catholic Church. The Cowels Clan includes 10 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Has already taken place at St. Margaret Parish in Otsego, MI.