Unknown Ohio newspaper 1 May 2002 Robert Conrad 'Bob' Cowan Robert Conrad "Bob" Cowan, 86, of West Mansfield, died Tuesday, April 30, 2002, at Hardin Hills Nursing Home, Kenton, following an extended illness. He was born in Bloomington, Ill., on Dec. 6, 1915, a son of the late Adair and Ida Conrad Cowan. On Jan. 23, 1941, he married the former Rebecca Bushong in Cincinnati, just prior to his departure for the military. She survives. Raised in Horton, he lived his entire life in Logan County. He owned and operated Bushong and Cowan Plumbing and Heating with his father-in-law for nearly 30 years and was the third generation to be engaged in the well-drilling, plumbing and heating business. Upon his retirement in the mid-1970s, he became a plumbing instructor with Ohio Hi-Point Joint Vocational School, where he taught until 1982. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa from 1941-1946, achieving the rank of captain with the Signal Corps and receiving the Bronze Star. A dedicated citizen of West Mansfield, he gave 18 years of service as a village council member and was a former mayor. He was past commander and adjutant of the West Mansfield American Legion Post 603, a member of the West Mansfield United Methodist Church and was a charter member of the West Mansfield Lions Club. He was a former member of the West Mansfield Conservation Club, an original member of the Bokescreek Volunteer Fire Department and was an avid HAM radio operator with the call letters of KE8FB. He enjoyed fishing and hosting fish fries for family and friends at his summer cottage at Indian Lake. He and his wife traveled throughout the country and especially enjoyed taking trips with other local couples on chartered bus tours. He enjoyed woodworking, golfing and his family. Along with his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Penninah (Jim) Smith of Kenton, and Melody (Donald) Warman and Connie (Bill) Troop, both of Bonita Springs, Fla.; a son, Jack (Judy Crawford) Cowan of Lima; five grandchildren, Laura Croutwater, Kyle (Lisa) Croutwater, Kellie Smith, Teresa Smith and Ashley Cowan; one great-granddaughter, Nicole Croutwater; a sister, Helen (Jonathan) Elliott of West Mansfield; a brother, Richard (Mildred) Cowan of Bellefontaine; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Donnabelle Jacobs and Nellie Vernon, and a brother, Dale Cowan. -------------------- Copied and Submitted by Gloria Bushong