Dr. Robert Richardson Bowen

Dr. Robert Richardson Bowen of Lynchburg, VA, continued his life\"™s journey on August 7, 2013.

He was the husband of Rebecca Dillard Peebles Bowen and he died on the day of their 60th wedding anniversary.

The Lynchburg community lost one of its most colorful citizens.  It was hard to escape his animated presence and his repetitious exclamations, \"Let\"™s Go!\", \"Keep Moving!\" and \"Move Now!\"

He was equally enthusiastic about his medical practice and all facets of physical fitness.

His energy was boundless!  He played football for two years at Virginia Tech. He mastered the game of Squash, had his own tennis court at home and worked out daily.  His passion for fitness led him to give the Robert R. Bowen Fitness Center to the employees at Lynchburg General Hospital.

He was the son of the late Dr. Leroy E. Bowen, Sr. and the late Mary Richardson Bowen of Lynchburg.

Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Leroy E. Bowen, Jr. and his sister, Jane Bowen Bishop and her husband, Rex.

In addition to his wife, Rebecca Peebles Bowen, Bob is also survived by his sister-in-law, Peggy P. Bowen and her children David Bowen and wife, Carol, William Bowen and wife, Kitty, Paul Bowen and wife, NoBoko, Sue Bowen Sineath and husband, Chuck; and his twin sister, Mary Bowen Bullock.  Bob was also survived by and devoted to his sister-in-law, Alice Peebles Lilley of Carson, Va. and her family.

Bob volunteered into the U.S. Navy during World War II and served on a Destroyer in the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Bob was a Practicing Orthopedic Surgeon in Lynchburg for 40 years.  He graduated from E. C. Glass High School.  He received a degree from Virginia Tech.  He completed his first year of Medical School at the University of Virginia.  He then transferred to the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond when he married his love, Rebecca.  He received his medical degree from MCV. After one year of a rotating internship at MCV, he made the decision to specialize in Orthopedic Surgery.  He then continued his studies and became a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon.  In 1961, he joined the practice of Dr. B. Kyle Mundy in Lynchburg.

Bob was a member of the Lynchburg Academy of Medicine, the Medical Society of Virginia, and The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons.

He was also a member of the Lynchburg Rotary Club.

After retiring in 2004, Bob practiced medicine for several years at the Johnson Health Center with his good friend, Dr. Peter Houck.

Bob had a quest for learning.  He loved literature, history, foreign languages, music, science, and medicine.

We send him on his journey with our respect, admiration, and love.  Well done.

With humble gratitude, the family thanks the staff at Westminster Canterbury, especially on the 5th floor.  The caregivers of Home Instead honored Bob with patience, loyalty, and a gentle hand for five years.  They also shared their kindness, compassion, and friendship with Bob\"™s wife, Rebecca.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 \"" 11:00 AM on Monday, August 12, 2013, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg.  A Celebration of Dr. Bowen\"™s Life will be held immediately following the visitation, with Rev. Dr. James Price officiating. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1388, Lynchburg, VA 24505.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent by visiting:  www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.