Robert Brower

07/31/1921 – 10/23/2013
CDR. US Navy, Ret.
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Robert E. Brower age 92 of Bellingham, died October 23, 2013. He was born July 31, 1921 in Altoona, PA to Robert A. and Edith C. Brower. He was raised in Tyrone, PA along with his 5 siblings: Roberta, Dorothy, Frances, Dave and Joy; all of whom have preceded him in death.
He was also preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Peggy) Brower and his daughter Ginger Brower. He is survived by his daughters Peggy Joy (Bob) Sullivan and Cathy Sue (Steve) Allen; as well as by grandchildren: Maureen, Debby, Betsy, and Anna; and great-grandchildren: Sean, Aiden, Theo, Griffin and Maya….and many nieces and nephews.
Bob Enlisted in the Navy in 1939 and served in the Pacific. He was aboard the ocean going tug boat Hoga when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He subsequently served above the USS Schley (DD103) and the USS Marquette (AKA95).
He was at first an electricians mate and became a Chief Petty Officer in that field. He was subsequently promoted and became a commissioned officer during the WWII.
He remained active in the Naval Reserves and eventually retired as a Commander, after 35 years of service to his country.
Following the war, Bob returned to his native town of Tyrone, PA. He went to work at the Navy Ordnance Research Laboratory in State College, PA where he worked on new torpedo designs. After a year he found employment at Chicago Rivet, in the electroplating department. He assumed positions of increasing responsibility. In 1966, Bob transferred to Pomona, CA and was head of the electroplating department at Screw Corp. He retired in 1983. He and his wife, Peg then moved in retirement to Bellingham, WA where he lived for over 29 years. His wife died in 2009.
Bob Brower was a patient teacher/coach who provided a safety net for his mentees; be they his daughters, other family members, his co-workers or friends. He had a strong spiritual core and was a man of integrity and conviction. Bob was methodical – not rote, available yet with boundaries, a “Total Recall” story teller with no bragging and a reflective and thoughtful speaker using an occasional “thump of the table” for emphasis.
In order for his wife to finish her RN in 1957 at a school several hundred miles from home, he was the single parent for a year of his 14, 9, and 7 year old daughters.
Bob was very active in the Bellingham community. He belonged to the masonic lodge in Pennsylvania and was president of the Shrine club in Bellingham in 2000. He also belonged to Scottish Rite and Eastern Star.
Bob shared a deep and abiding Christian faith with others and felt honored to bring the elements forward at morning Communion services. He enjoyed travel, dancing with his wife and the company of friends whether at a local deli or at a Shriners’ meeting.
He stayed current in the geo-political world, with the morphing modern technology, and various local events: iPhone user, Tiger Cruiser on the USS Samuel Gompers with his Ensign granddaughter Maureen, frequent blood donor and committed voter.
He was a standout athlete in his younger years, a month before his death he could be seen making headway at the local pool with mask and snorkel.
He was self-disciplined and actively managed his own healthcare with guidance from his favorite nurse and #3 daughter Cathy with appreciation, a chuckle and a twinkle.
During WWII he was promoted to “ship’s chaplain” with the introduction, “Bob-you are the one who always carries a prayer book.”
Along with his Episcopal Prayer Book he also carries his family’s love and prayers for fair winds and a following sea as he returns to be even closer to God.
Visitation will be held at Westford on Mon., Oct. 28 from 3-5 PM. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Tue., Oct. 29 at 1 PM followed by a reception. The Rev. Jonathan Weldon will officiate. Memorials may be made to any Shriners Hospital for Children or to the Whatcom Hospice.