Bob Schowe

Robert P. Schowe, 103, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Towne House Retirement Center. Bob was born September 1, 1920 in Toledo OH, the son of (the late) Edwin and Josephine (Grosjean) Schowe. He was a 1942 graduate of the School of Horticulture at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. He also pursued graduate studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Bob founded Cottage Flowers in downtown Fort Wayne in 1946 and in 1947, he married Eva (Gilles) Schowe, who preceded him in death in 2001 after 54 years together. Through the years, Bob expanded the shop several times. He remained CEO for over 60 years. He also taught flower arranging at IPFW, and he & Eva taught and judged 4-H flower arranging competitions.  A downtown stalwart, Bob was an active member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club for many years. He was a lifelong Catholic, steadfast in his faith; was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and most recently, of St. Vincent DePaul Parish. After he sold Cottage Flowers to his nephew, Jerry Schowe, Bob continued to drop by and work into his 90’s. Many people remember him advertising by dropping off his card and a rose blossom floating in a glass bowl at businesses all over the Fort Wayne area. After his first wife Eva passed away, Bob found love again with his second wife, Mary Josephine “Jody” (Weigand Kelker) Showe, whom he married in 2001; Jody preceded him in death in 2023 after 22 years together.  He and Jody enjoyed great health well into their 90’s and travelled extensively. Bob exercised regularly and loved working cryptograms. He was beloved as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, boss, and friend. Bob is survived by his son, Tom (Anne Cutter-Schowe) Schowe of Santa Barbara CA and granddaughter, Christina Schowe, also of Santa Barbara. In addition to his parents, and Eva & Jody, Bob was also preceded in death by his brothers, Edwin W. “Bill”, Lester and Raymond Schowe.

Funeral Services 11:00am Thursday February 1, 2024 at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. with visitation on Thursday from 9:00-11:00am. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. To honor his memory, Bob’s family is establishing a scholarship fund at Purdue University. To share a remembrance of Bob or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.