Robert A. Mcgowan

Robert A. McGowan, 75, of 13203 N. Wayland R., Meadville, died peacefully Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at his home after suffering a heart attack last week.
Born in Mercer, PA on October 27, 1931, he was the son of Francis and Ruth McCarl McGowan.  Bob married Evelyn Girard in 1950.  She preceded him in death in 1956. He subsequently married Maxine Check in 1957 and they raised 7 kids together.  She preceded him in death in 1993. He married the love of his life, Alice Deighan Alter, in 1999.  She survives, but misses him sorely.

Bob attended Meadville and Randolph-East Mead schools. In his early days, he worked at Franklin Steel and Sunbeam.  For many years he sold and installed carpet, owning Midway Floor Show in Reno, PA in the 1980’s.  He was employed as a car salesman at various times in his life, working at several area car dealerships before his retirement from Weber-Harris Ford in 1996.

Bob was an incredible rhythm and bass guitar player.  He taught many musicians how to add “demented” chords to make simple songs sound full and rich.  He called square dances for over four decades with “The Mastertones” and played many years with his brothers and father in “The Playboys”.  He frequently held jam sessions in his home, making wonderful music with his family and dear friends to the delight of all who attended. Bob loved to travel out west in his motor home.  He never needed a map.  He was intent on keeping his white walls white.  He liked to donate his spare change to various Native American Nations in New York. Bob loved M&M’s, but always blamed other people when his candy dish came up empty.  He greeted his friends by calling them “partner”.  People looked forward to his arrival just to see what funny saying would be printed on his shirt.  He never missed an opportunity to share a well-timed joke, making everyone around him laugh and smile.  The world is a better place because of the joy that Bob McGowan brought to it.

In addition to his wife Alice, Bob is survived by 6 children: Bob McGowan and his wife, Carol, Jerry McGowan and his wife, Cindy, all of Guys Mills, Dan McGowan and his wife, Bev, of Meadville, Tom McGowan and his wife, Leslie, of Cochranton, Kevin McGowan of Titusville, and Kim Templin and her husband, Marc, of Townville.  He has 3 stepchildren, Donnarae Morrison and Dee Johnston, both of Cochranton and Dan Alter of Clymer, PA.  He is survived by 17 grandchildren who all called him “Pap”: Connie Crawford and her husband, Lyle, Kristin McGowan, Amy Schott and her husband, Doug, Tonya Boyer and her husband, Greg, Ryan McGowan, Jason McGowan and his wife, Megan, Michelle Packard and her husband, Matt, Justin McGowan, Ben Deets, Brandin Deets, Tracy Deets, Michael McGowan, Jonathan McGowan, Jeffrey McGowan, Christopher Denman, Jake Leveto, and Andy Leveto, plus 11 step-grandchildren, Zeke, Jinnie, Tim, Kati, Cody, Jonathan, Heidi, Scott, Robin, Vicki, and Colton.  He has 7 great-grandchildren, Brennan, Caiden, Chloe, Logan, Cayleigh, Carson and Olivia as well as several step great-grandkids, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Bob is survived by 4 brothers: Paul McGowan and his wife, Lucille, of Meadville, Bill McGowan and his wife, Macky, of Blooming Valley, Dick McGowan and his wife, Christine, of Canadohta Lake, and Ron McGowan and his wife, Karol, of Guys Mills.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Marty McGowan, two grandchildren, Laurie and Brian, a stepson, Bus Alter, and three siblings: Tuck McGowan, Marion Fryermuth, and Marge Hart.

Friends may call at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, Friday, from 2 to 8 p.m.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Glen Van Cise, Pastor of Chapmanville Community Church, officiating.  Friends, family and admirers are invited to a celebration of his life at St. Hippolyte’s Social Hall on Route 27 in Frenchtown immediately following the funeral.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the family c/o R.W. Waid Funeral Home.