Robert B. Cowder, of Clearfield died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 at the DuBois Nursing Home. He was born Jan. 2, 1920, the son of R. Veryl and Ruth (Blyth) Cowder.
Mr. Cowder was a graduate of the Clearfield Area High School in the class of 1937 and the Clearfield School of Aviation in 1941. He had been employed at Glen L. Martin, constructing B52 Bombers in Baltimore until going into the U.S. Army.
He also had worked for the former Jacobson and Etzweiler Store. He retired from American General as an insurance agent after 23 years.
Mr. Cowder was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in World War II during the “Battle of the Bulge,” receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Also, he had served as a past Chaplin for the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church.
He was a member of the BPOE Lodge No. 540 and the AARP. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and was a past treasurer of the Golden Bison Association.
Mr. Cowder is survived by three sons, Retired U.S. Air Force CSMGT Michael M. Cowder of Stafford, Va., Retired U.S. Air Force MSGT Robert B. Cowder Jr. and his wife, Carolyn of Utah and Mark G. Cowder and his wife, Tia of Sebring, Fla.; a step-son, Bart Bartholomew and his wife, Shirley of Sebring, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was the last member of his generation. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ethel (Gourley) Cowder, whom died in February of 1988.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, at the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc. with the Rev. Robert Way officiating. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery.
Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6 and the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post No. 1785 Honor Guard.
Friends will be received from 7 p.m. -9 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. Saturday until the hour of the services.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the St. John Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1454, Clearfield, PA 16830 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To send online tributes, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.
