Robert "Bob" Lowry

Bob was born October 16, 1949, the second child of Thomas J and Mary H Lowry in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Richmond Hill, New York and met his wife at the age of 14 while attending Richmond Hill High School. He joined the United States Coast Guard on August 21, 1967 at the age of 17 and married Maureen on June 12, 1971. His 20 year career took him to New Hampshire, Florida, San Diego, Brooklyn, and back to San Diego in 1984 where he retired on September 1, 1987. At the age of 37, Bob embarked on his second career and graduated the Police Academy on January 28, 1988. He worked for the La Mesa Police Department for the next 18 years.

Anyone who knows Bob, knows how much he loved his cars. There was never a time that there wasn’t a car being built in the driveway. Corvettes and Camaros were his favorite and always red. At one time he had his corvette in the garage and was restoring 2 cars in the driveway. While in the USCG, he was a helicopter mechanic who performed Search & Rescue (SAR) operations; at which time he was awarded the Air Medal for risking his life to save an unconscious person in the water during a blizzard off the Shores of Long Island, New York.

After retiring from the USCG he became a La Mesa Police officer. For him it was like letting a child loose in a Toys R Us. He LOVED being a Cop! Bob always appeared to be tough but his compassion for people would always sneak out and helped keep him grounded in what needed to be done in his job. During his career with LMPD he received Officer of the Year along with multiple Medals of Valor. He had to retire after 18 years due to a back injury, but he was always a cop in his heart.

Bob was a gentle, giant grizzly. His outward tough as leather appearance only disguised his very soft and caring inside. He loved his family and always worried about each and every one of them. The last 6 years were rough on him due to medical problems. One doctor called him “medically complex” with some doctors even writing papers about his complex and unique conditions to the medical board. But through it all, he never gave up!

Bob is survived by his wife, Maureen “Moe”, sister Mary Ellen (Robert), son Thomas (Starla), daughters Melanie (Daniel) and April (Arnold), 9 grandchildren Shawn (Maya), Melissa (Justin), Brianna, Courtney, Travis, Collin, Cristiano, Carlos, Xavier, and 2 great granddaughters, Violet and Ruby. As well as nieces and nephews, honorary grandchildren and friends who were like family.