Robert R. McDowell (aka Bob, Bobby), passed away on February 24, 2024, with his loving wife and family by his side.  Born on August 19, 1933, at Emerald Hodgson Hospital in Suwanee, Tennessee, he grew up in nearby Winchester, Tennessee.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, had a 32 year career with the State of Florida DMV, along with a part-time position with Montgomery Wards, first with the St. Petersburg, FL location then later with the Port Richey, FL location.  After “retirement” he worked at the Wal-Mart Super Center in Port Richey before transferring to the New Port Richey Sam’s Club location.  At Sam’s Club he especially favored working at the gas station, where he exchanged friendly banter with the customers, developing relationships with regulars who would come on the days Bob worked, to chat and share produce from their garden with him.

Bob loved road trips, enjoying adventures with his wife Anita, from frequent trips to North Carolina and Tennessee, to cross country trips to Oregon, visiting family and friends, and taking in the beautiful scenery of national treasures such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Yosemite parks along the way. The thrill of catching a large Steelhead in the Columbia River, charter fishing in the Pacific Ocean off of Depoe Bay, and crabbing for Dungeness crab were highlights of many times there.

Bob had a friendly, laid-back demeanor that drew people to him and put them at ease.  He cared deeply for all of his friends and loved his family immensely, his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, nephew, and especially his wife, praying for all of them every evening before going to bed.  Bob and Anita were devoted to each other for over 40 years, through thick and thin, by each other’s side always.

Bob is survived by his wife Anita, children Ernie (Katie) McDowell, Anthony McDowell, Robbie McDowell, Julie Edmonds, stepchildren Kevin (Terry) Holtzman, Ed (Becca) Holtzman, Linda (Brian) Van Es, fifteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and his nephew Tim Morris. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Cordelia Buppert, and nephew Jeff Morris.

We all love Bob dearly and will miss him beyond measure.  We know he will be watching over all of his family and friends from Heaven, along with rooting for his beloved Tennessee Volunteers to win the National College Football Championship every year!