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Jane Gooch, Bob Bowen's daughter, has very kindly pulled together some key points to be added to this page. She also kindly provided the photo of her father at one of the SCARA reunions.
Bob Bowen, known to his family as Roger, passed away on 28th April 2022 at the grand age of 95 years old. His first job when he was 14, was working for his Grandfather and Father at their Shipping Agent’s firm, C.P. Bowen and Sons from their offices at the end of Gravesend’s Royal Terrace Pier, detailing the comings and goings of vessels on the River Thames. He was enlisted into the army and served with the Royal Signals regiment, eventually becoming his Commanding Officer’s batman and driver. On leave, he met his wife Patricia and they were happily married for 67 years until her death in 2017.
Bob eventually left the river and began a career in sea shipping. He worked for Glen Line, P&O and lived in Hong Kong for over 2 years working for their agents, Mackinnon and Mackenzie. He then went on to work for OCL in their London Offices and finally at Barking, Essex.
After his retirement Bob kept in touch with many of his former colleagues and this led to him being a founder member of the Special Containers Active Retirement Association (SCARA). He never missed their annual get-togethers to share old memories and funny stories. He leaves two children and four grandchildren who will miss him greatly.
The original announcement of Bob's passing from 29 April is recorded below.
17/06/2022
Dear Members,
I am very sad to report that Bob Bowen died on 28th April. He was 95 on 7th April but had not been well for several weeks.
Bob was one of the Founding Members of SCARA and was elected Chairman at the first SCARA meeting on 9th May 2005.
It was an inspirational move to “invent” SCARA and thus keep the spirit of OCL, P&OCL and P&ONL alive at the reunion lunches that followed. It is also a great tribute to Bob that SCARA continues to flourish to this day.
From my own time in Barking, I shall always remember Bob as a tremendous leader, full of fun and wit and very successful at improving our business. We shall all miss him greatly.
Bob’s funeral will not be for several weeks. Belinda will forward funeral details when she has them.
Mike Seymour
29/04/2022
Dear SCARA Member,
Further to our message of 29 April please find below details for the funeral of Bob Bowen who was our first SCARA Chairman.
Date: Thursday 26 May 2022 at 12 p.m.
at Thamesview Crematorium, Gravesend Road, Chalk, Gravesend, Kent DA12 3JH
and afterwards at Ebsfleet United Football Club, The Kuflink Stadium, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet,
Gravesend, Kent DA11 9GN
Please notify Bob's daughter Jane Gooch if you will be attending the funeral (for catering purposes).
Kind regards,
Belinda McCormack
SCARA Membership Secretary
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