Robert Lynn ""Bob"" Bowman, the son of J. Wilmot and Helen Mason Bowman was born May 9, 1918 in Silver City, Iowa. He passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at his home in the Nyman area at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 12 days. Bob was raised in rural Hastings, IA, until the age of 11, when the family moved to the Nyman area. He was confirmed at the Fremont Lutheran Church at Nyman. Bob graduated with the Red Oak High School class of l937. He worked for Nebraska Power & Light in Valley, NE, and this is where he met Rena. Robert was united in marriage to Rena E. Petersan on February 1, 1941 in Omaha, NE. Bob was drafted into the U. S. Army Infantry and left for Little Rock, Arkansas on February 15, 1941. He graduated from Officer Training School and taught math to officers. At Fort Dix and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he served as Captain in the Signal Corp. Bob served in Saipan before WW II ended. Following his honorable discharge, Bob returned to Nyman and began his lifelong career of farming. He also, started a tiling construction business and tiled wet farmland for many farmers, continuing until the early 1990's. Bob also fed cattle for many years. He enjoyed farming and soil conservation, along with the satisfaction of seeing improved farmland conservation results. Bob enjoyed snow skiing, golfing, bridge, and dancing to big bands music with Rena. They spent many winters in Phoenix, Arizona. Bob especially loved water skiing, swimming and fishing with family and lots of friends at Lake Okoboji. When Bob and his brother and sisters were young, their grandfather, Lynn Knapp Mason had a place at Okoboji, so Okoboji had been a part of Bob's entire life. Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Red Oak and past member of the Elks Lodge, Lions Club, Mutual 20 Club and American Legion of Essex. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert Lee Bowman; daughter, Janet Lea Bright; sisters: Dorothy Peterson and husband Rick; and Elsie Martin and husband Howard; brothers: Bill and George Bowman; great-grandson, Cullen Bowman; and son-in-law, Harry Smith. Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Rena E. Bowman of Nyman; two children: Lynne Smith of Independence, MO; Steve Bowman and wife Gail of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren: Brian Mindy Bowman of Omaha, NE; Jennifer Brian Reavis of Vero Beach, FL; Katie Nick Harris of Kuna, ID; Zachary Bowman of Omaha, NE; Jennifer Helmstetler Jeremy Hogle of Overland Park, KS; and Jay Smith of Independence, MO; nine great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, along with other relatives and friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Red Oak Burial at 3:00 p.m. in Mt. Hope, Cemetery, Nyman, IA with military rites Rev. Fred Pilecki, Officiating No family visitation, however, there is open viewing at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Red Oak; Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman; or American Cancer Society Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.