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| Robert Cowan |
| Date Of Birth: | Septemer 15, 1913 |
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| Date Of Death: | March 20, 2012 |
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| Service Date: | May 14, 2012 10:00 a.m. |
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Robert Fort Cowan
Peoria-Robert Fort Cowan, 98, passed away at 2:38 a.m. on
Tuesday March 20, 2012 at Proctor Hospital. He was born on
September 15, 1913 in Colorado Springs, CO to the late George and
Wave (Betts) Cowan. From 1937 to 1941, he was married to Fay
Eastman. In May of 1944, he married Caryl Jean Carman, of
Princeville, who was the love of his life; she preceded him in
death in 1967. His close friend and companion Carla Palombi,
preceded him in death in 2006.
Surviving are four children, Molly Cowan (James) Cromwell,
of Annandale, VA and Sarasota, FL, Barbara Cowan (the late Walter
Lynn) Griffith, of McNabb, IL and Sarasota, FL, Dr. Julie Cowan
(Dr. Robert) Novak, of Lafayette, IN and San Antonio, TX, and Rob
(Carol) Cowan, Peoria; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren;
and brothers George Cowan, of San Diego, CA, and Don Schuette, of
Phoenix, AZ.
Fort attended St. John's Military Academy, where he
graduated with honors in 1931. He attended Knox College in
1931 where he was a Phi Delta Theta and played right halfback and
kicker for the football team; they were undefeated that year.
In 1932, he transferred to Bradley University and was a Beta Mu
member. Fort was in the U.S. Army and the Merchant
Marines from 1943-1945.
Fort adored his grandkids, 5 of whom were Division 1
athletes, with 2 playing professionally. He loved following
all of their school and sports activities and competitions.
He was a lifelong hunter and fisherman; traveling throughout the
U.S., Cuba, and Costa Rica. He went on annual summer fishing trips
to Alaska and Canada until the age of 95 and he continued to hunt
at his duck clubs at Crow Creek and Cottonwood, south of Lacon. He
loved attending decoy shows and Pheasants Forever banquets.
He was featured many times in the Peoria Journal Star as "Central
Illinois' Oldest Duck Hunter" and when he shot a turkey at age
95.
Fort was an active member of the Walter Guede American
Legion Post # 523, where he enjoyed playing euchre with his good
friends Hank Thomas, George Smith, Sam McCully, Melvin Budd, and
Keith Kenyon.
Fort was a generous philanthropist who supported many
charities annually. Among his favorites were the Lacon
Congregational UCC Church, the Salvation Army, St. John's Military
Academy, and the Wounded Warriors Project and Pheasants are
Forever. Any donations made to these charities on Fort's
behalf would be graciously appreciated by his family.
Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be a
memorial service and a celebration of Fort's life on May 14, 2012
at the Lacon Congregational United Church of Christ at 10:00 a.m.
with interment with military honors at the Lacon Cemetery at 11:00
a.m. Lunch will be served at the American Legion at
noon. Online memories and condolences may be expressed at www.lenzmemorialhome.com.
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