A Salute to Robert S. Bowie

By Robert Smith, Executive Director, African American Legacy Project
The Truth Contributor

Robert Sammie Bowie never aspired to lead men… he just led them.  Quite frankly, he used athletics to prepare young African Americans for the realities of life.  Bowie didn’t set out to lead, he set out to teach. He wanted to share his experiences and make subsequent generations better. 

Born in Birmingham, Alabama on November 24, 1925 to the late Joseph and Lilly Mae Bowie, Robert Bowie knew idle young souls needed two things – guidance and protection.  Sometimes, if you watched him closely, you just might catch him staring off into obscurity.   You could sense, there was something in his experiences that begged “Bob Bowie” to guide and direct young men and women. 

Deacon Bowie is Navy veteran who was stationed in Guam and Okinawa during World War II. His daughter, Stephanie Bowie-Williams says, “My dad and mom, the late Iona Beverly Bowie, would have been married 72 years this year.”  “Together, they parented eight children, but… they touched the lives of so many more.”

While he never defined it, athletics served as Bowie’s ministry. His hands, his heart and his spirituality led him to serve youth. He moved young folks through different levels of life. He raised athletes, ministers, musicians, artist, educators – he shepherded men. 
 

Bowie Navy

Bowie, Daughter, Niece

On Sunday, November 29, 2015 the community will celebrate Deacon Bowie’s 90^th birthday with a dinner held in his honor. This long overdue event will be held at the Radisson Hotel Ballroom 3100 Glendale Avenue. 

Stephanie, an ordained Deacon like her dad, says, “My dad volunteered to coach the peewee and colt baseball teams for Gunckel School. In the early 60’s he created the Recreation Department at Calvary Baptist Church.  He served as the Director and coached girl’s softball teams.” 

At almost 90 years of age, Deacon Bowie now serves as the Recreational Director for True Vine Missionary Church.

He used/uses sports to instill values and principals into untold young boys and young men. He taught them even when the playing field is not level, you could overcome. His own window of life serves as a perfect example.

As a coach, Bowie encountered many unfair circumstances, such as biased calls from game officials.  Having experienced prejudice growing up, he countered the negative officiating by studying to become an official. 

For the next 33 years Robert Bowie served the community as an umpire.  That single ground-breaking act opened doors for others.  Quite a few African Americans who began umpiring in the city of Toledo should tip their hat to Robert Bowie and his working umpire partner N. Ray Jones. They both decided to change circumstances, not by complaining but by actively penetrating the system without losing himself. 

Bowie who retired from the Lucas County Metropolitan Housing Authority in 1992 is a skilled culinary specialist. He named his catering business after his father.  Bowie named his business Daddy Joe’s Old Fashion Bar-B-Que.  Bowie has long been envied for his homemade bar-b-que sauce and exceptional ribs.

In honoring Robert Bowie we celebrate a man of integrity who taught us that you can accomplish without a lot of money at your disposal. You can achieve without changing who you are.    

In honoring Robert Bowie we celebrate a man who didn’t look at what couldn’t be done.  He just rolled up his sleeves and made things happen.  Deacon Robert Bowie lived by the motto…”Let your Light Shine.”

Happy Birthday Mr. Bowie!

You may request your tickets to the Robert Bowie birthday celebration on Sunday, November 29, 2015 tickets [$30.00 ea] by calling or texting 419-377-6663 by November 20.

Copyright © 2015 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/16/18 14:12:15 -0700.

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