Robert L Bowman, 94, of Pace, FL, passed away on Sunday April 12, to be with his Lord in Heaven, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Chicago, IL in 1920 and is preceded in death by his wife of almost 72 years, Dannie Elsie Guernsey Bowman, who passed away on March 3, 2015. Also preceded by his parents, John and Doretta Wippo Bowman of Chicago, a brother, Elwin Carl Bowman, a brother-in-law, William J Baulac, a sister-in-law, Patricia Bowman and a special grandson, Jeremy Douglas Bowman. He is survived by three sons, Robert John, Chuck (Linda), Carl (Debi) all of Pace, FL; grandchildren Kevin Bowman (Amy Lynn) of La Crescenta CA, Carol Russell (Mike) of Fairview NC, Heather Bowman of Atlanta GA, Amy Crossan (Bryan) of Charlotte NC and Leslie Coleman (Colin) of Milton FL; great-grandchildren Austin and Kayla Bowman, Amelia and Winston Russell, Holden Crossan, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a brother, Jack Bowman (Joan) of Crenshaw MS; a sister, Doretta Baulac of Kathleen FL; and sisters-in-law, Louise Bowman of St Petersburg FL and Kathryn Guernsey of Pensacola FL. Robert served in WWII in the US Navy, AMCC 1st Class. He was a carburetor mechanic instructor on the R2800 and other aircraft engine used in the F4Us, F6Fs and many other WWII planes. He was stationed in Illinois, Texas, Florida and California. In California, he was attached to a US Marine unit teaching mechanics for the Pacific Theatre. To the end, he could always tell one he was in the Navy in WWII for, "4 years, 9 months, 13 days and 8 hours.” He spied his future wife under a big, floppy hat at the Pace First Missionary Baptist Church after being invited to church. Dannie called it her “beau catcher” hat; after more than 73 years, the hat is still in its hatbox. Robert was a charter and oldest surviving member of Pace Volunteer Fire Department (Badge #4). He was also active in the Pace Fire Department’s July 4th Pace Days Parades and Floridatown all-day events and involved in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Pace Civitan Club. He helped get the Pace Water System established and was instrumental in the effort to get telephone service to the Guernsey Road and Woodbine Road areas in the 1950's. Over his life, Robert enjoyed gardening, softball, fishing, team bowling, golf, traveling to the mountains in their RV, visiting relatives, Chicago Cubs baseball and chocolate ice cream. He and Dannie loved to swim in the pool with their grandchildren and were both very dedicated to their family. Until his 80s, he was an active deacon and long-time adult Sunday school teacher at Fellowship Baptist Church and First Missionary Baptist Church in Pace. Robert was also a Trustee, Chairman of the Board and Chairman Emeritus of the West Florida Baptist Institute in Pensacola. Robert retired in 1989 after 42 years with St. Regis Paper Company/Champion (now International Paper), where he worked as a recovery boiler operator. The family wishes to thank Debbie Munoz, Shirley Page (Granny Nannies), Linda Kennedy and Arcadia Nursing Home for the care they provided. Pallbearers were Ronnie Guernsey, Elwyn (Ed) Guernsey, Billy Cleary, Harvey Bradberry, Danny Jones, and Adam Munoz. Honorary pallbearers were Ted House and members from the Pace Volunteer Fire Department (now Pace Fire Rescue District). Celebration of Life Services was held on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Lewis Funeral Home in Pace. Rev. Felix Munoz of Fellowship Baptist Church, Pace and Rev. H. H. Strickland officiated. Burial was at Serenity Gardens, Milton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund, 5223 Hwy 90, Pace, FL, 32571.