Obituary of Robert George Cowen

Robert George Cowen, 72, of Sylva, reluctantly left this world from his home Saturday, July 13, 2013. His beloved wife of 50 years, Patricia McGuire Cowen, was at his side with their daughters, Arlene Leigh Cox and Leeanne Cowen McCoy, comforting him during the cancer’s determined advance. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962 and became a paratrooper and one of the first Green Berets. He was a graduate of Rutgers University and received a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Florida School of Law. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Broward County, Florida until the family moved to Jackson County in 1975. He maintained a private practice as a defense attorney to fulfill his deep belief that every person deserves fair and just treatment under the law. Bob was best known for living life on his terms and seeing the humor in situations. He had a joyous life and preferred spending his time with fascinating people from the community and with the family he loved most. He was generous and smart, thrifty and witty. Those who will keep him alive in their hearts include his daughters and his wife, sons-in-law Joshua Cox and Eric McCoy, son Branton Robert Cowen, adopted son Stan Veraart, dear friend Linda Beard and his grandchildren Iris and Xolan Cox and Holly and Lorelei McCoy. Through the years he profoundly affected the lives of many others. The family will receive those who wish to celebrate his life on Thursday, July 18, 7:30 pm at Canterbury House, St. David’s Episcopal Church, in Cullowhee, NC. Memorials in Bob's name can be made to ARF. . .