Robert "Bob" Lloyd McDowell Sr.

Robert “Bob” Lloyd McDowell, Sr of Southside, AL passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on July 4, 2022 at Gadsden Regional Hospital in Gadsden, AL. Bob was born on May 31, 1939 in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was preceded in death by his mother Geraldine Alice (Ferguson) McDowell and his father Clarence Lloyd McDowell. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Norma Jean (Lambert) McDowell, and his brother Ronald Eugene McDowell and his wife Janet Claire McDowell of Rome, GA.

In addition, he is survived by his sons Robert Lloyd McDowell, Jr and his wife Anne Kitchens McDowell of Hoover, AL; and Stephen Michael McDowell and his wife Patricia Rose McDowell and their three children Patrick Michael McDowell, Conner Riley McDowell, and Kerri Lynn McDowell of St. Augustine, FL.

At the age of 20, Bob felt the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Navy on August 28, 1959. He attended Boot Camp in San Diego, CA and earned the title of Honor Graduate and received the “Honor Certificate” from his commanding officer. This would be the first of many distinguished awards during his 20-year service to our country.

Not long into his Naval career, volunteering to serve in the Submarine Service, the Navy quickly recognized his dedication and leadership qualities. The Navy offered him a full scholarship to several universities of which he chose to attend the University of New Mexico. He not only obtained an Electrical Engineering degree, he also became what is known as a “Mustang” which is a rarity in the Navy. A Mustang is an enlisted-men who becomes an officer while maintaining active-duty status.

After college he received orders to report to the USS Mahan DLG11 Destroyer stationed in Yokosuka, Japan during the Viet Nam War. Bob and his family remained in Japan for two years before returning to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT. The remainder of his career was spent quietly guarding and protecting our country through deterrence. Nearing the end of his career, he received the highly coveted Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) Medal while working on the Trident Submarine Program. The medal was awarded to him by the Secretary of the Navy.

After completing 20 years of service to his county, having moved his family the equivalent of once around the world, he returned to the role of civilian and took up the hobbies he so loved. Which included spending time with family, being active in his church, fishing, golfing, playing tennis, piano and trumpet, and working in the yard and garden.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support our Nation’s Veterans by donating to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Online: GarySiniseFoundation.org/donate

By Mail: Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 40726, Nashville, TN 37204