Joseph "Bob"

CDR Joseph Robert ” Bob” Bow passed away Monday morning, February 21, 2011 in Port Orchard, WA. He was born October 18, 1924, in Seattle, WA to Wilma and Joseph Bow. He grew up in Orillia, WA and graduated from Kent High School. Upon completion of the V-12 program at Whitman College Bob was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. After WWII, he returned to Whitman College and graduated with a bachelor degree in economics in 1947.   Bob married Joan Dingle of Port Orchard in 1947, and they enjoyed 48 years together until her death in 1994.   Bob reentered the Navy as a supply officer. He earned a MBA at The Naval Post Graduate School in Monterrey, CA. After numerous assignments in the United States, overseas, aboard ship, and seeing action in Korea and Vietnam, he retired from the Navy in 1973 with 31 years of service.   He returned to Port Orchard where he was employed as county comptroller.   In his later years, he married Eleanor ”Norie” Crowley of Portland, Oregon.  Bob was also active in starting South Kitsap Helpline. He served on the Juvenile Court Advisory Board, Archdiocese Pastoral Council and Boundary Review Board. He was also active in Kiwanis, Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce, Puget Sound Blood Center, Sidney Museum and Arts Association, and the annual Friends of Manchester Library Salmon Bake fundraiser. Bob was preceded in death by his 1st wife Joan, his 2nd wife Norie, his sister Eleanor, brother James, and his great granddaughter Safiye. He is survived by his six children Melanie (Edward) Plantaric of Walla Walla, Tim(Eileen) Bow of Walla Walla, Terry(Karen) Bow of Elma, Ardis Bow of Sacramento, Thomas Bow of Sacramento, Barbara (Joe) MacDonald; ten grandchildren Jason Bow, Annie(Mehmet) Yetmez, Jennie(Forrest) Griek, David (Stephanie) Plantaric, Elizabeth (Jacob) Zborowski, Courtney (Nate) Dorsey, Margaret MacDonald, William Bow, Julia (Brian) Beerbower, Kirsten MacDonald; five great grandchildren Esma Yetmez, Brodie Plantaric, McKenna Dorsey, Sonja Plantaric , Svea Griek , Piper Dorsey, and Afife Yetmez, his sister Millie Westerland of Tacoma and numerous nieces and nephews.  A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at 4pm, Friday, February 25, 2011, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, 1150 Mitchell Ave., Port Orchard, with a rosary at 3:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Kitsap Helpline, Manchester Public Library, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Whitman College or a charity of your choice.