News and Events

DR. ROBERT W "BOB" BOWERS, Visionary & Founder - Sun Jun 10, 2012

of Hands For Christ International, passed away Sunday, June 10, 2012. Please send email condolences ..... no phone calls. In lieu of flowers, doantions may be made to the ministry he founded and loved so much ... Hands for Christ! We thank everyone for their prayers during this time.

Robert William Bowers, Sr. went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, June 10, 2012 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family. He was born August 10, 1925 to the late John Thomas and Carrie Elizabeth Bowers. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Bowers Girdon and Virginia Mae Bowers and a brother, John Thomas Bowers, Jr.

Bob is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joan C. Bowers whom he met at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church in Dr. Allison’s Bible Class and then married on December 24, 1965; his two children, a daughter, Cynthia Bowers Fralin and husband Jimmy Fralin of Daleville and a son, Robert William Bowers II and wife Rhonda Bowers of Roanoke. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Jessica Leigh Fralin of Daleville; Emmagail Megan Bowers, Elizabeth Claire Bowers, Robert William Bowers III, Levi Harrison Bowers and Elaina Grace Bowers all of Roanoke.

Bob was a graduate of Fleming High School and attended college at Ferrum, Georgia Tech and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1950. He served in the United States Navy before starting his own business as a building contractor. He established RW Bowers Construction, Bowers and Finney, Tempo Homes, and retired from Creative Construction & Development Corporation, a commercial construction firm. Bob served twice as President of Roanoke Valley Home Builders Association.

Bob had a love for the great outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son, Robert II. Raising bird dogs and upland bird hunting were his favorite pastimes. Bob raised horses and enjoyed pleasure riding. He was an avid tennis player for 40+ years. He especially enjoyed growing a large vegetable garden and a beautiful rose garden.

Dr. Bowers is best known for his passion of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the ministry of Hands for Christ International. Bob’s thirst for knowledge combined with years of dedicated reading of the scriptures helped birth his vision for Hands for Christ, which he founded in 1968 and presided over until recent years when he passed the baton on to his son, Robert II. This Christian literature outreach ministry found its way into 129+ nations of the world. During his lifetime, he was awarded three honorary Doctorates of Divinity for his dedication in ministry. Bob’s example in ministry throughout his years influenced his daughter Cynthia, to pursue her passion for women’s ministry as she encourages ladies on a daily basis.

The family is grateful for the caring services of hospice through Good Samaritan, with Lisa Myers and Sandy Albright and is thankful for the care of Dr. Gregory Stidham, his long-term physician. The family extends a heartfelt thanks to Sharon King as his dedicated, faithful, daytime caregiver and current night nurse Tracey Forehand.

The family will receive friends at Oakey’s North Chapel on Thursday, June 14 from 10 to 1 and 5 to 8. The Celebration of Life service will be on Friday, June 15 at 10 am, held at Shenandoah Baptist Church with Dr. Robert L. Alderman officiating with special speakers. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hands for Christ, 5720 Williamson Road, Suite 111, Roanoke, VA  24012, to honor Dr. Bowers’s life and to continue sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.