Poem by Robert Mowrey:  The monk on the mountain in Tibet gives all he owns to the poor.  He keeps his bowl for rice and a bit of fish.  A blanket.  Not even a tent.  He just gives everything away.  What makes the guy tick?  His property is now nothing.  He has captured himself and now holds this new freedom dearest to his heart.  His loss becomes everything.  Loss is gain.  It is a spare life that enriches.  Life is more pure that way. Like clean, cold water.  Watch the eagle soaring above its mountain.  All it requires is down below and within the air that holds it up.  Everything comes back to him in different forms.  Evolution. 

Poem by Robert Mowrey:
A thought bears me in its form and lights me from myself.
The man I was evaporates; this thought is all I am, I love.

Nature Poem by Robert Mowrey:
Come dance with me beside the waterfall.
Do you hear the beat of those faint drums?
Beat by the salamander and the frog?
Listen carefully then. Your heart beats in 
that rhythm too. Join our paws and fingers
in my delightful dance.
Take my hand and raise your arms to reach the sky. 
Drink in the sunlight and pass it on to our families.
For your family is my family too.
I love nature. I love everything about it. I love how the 
raccoons care for their young.  I love the flying squirrel
who hunts truffles under trees.
Falling water has drawn life to come to it:
Nursing it. Shaping it. Destroying it.  And, 
creating it yet again. Atoms of oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
Plants, animals, everything becomes the Living Waters. 
The Ecological Web. Its Wisdom is Sharing,
I dream of where I've been.  I have lived with the animals.
I have protected animals and their habitats.
I have quietly watched a doe give birth to its fawn.
A Great Privilege it was to see New Life be Born.

My name is Sallie.  I moved to WA in 2010.  After 2 years went by, I wanted to get involved in doing something with my life.  While talking to my son Kenneth, I told him that I wanted to go out and learn more about the city.  Ken asked me what I would like to do.  I said that I would like to go out and help somebody.  Ken searched on the computer for something that I would enjoy, and he found a senior companion program.  In 2012, I met Robert (Bob) through a program at Volunteers of America.  I couldn't have met a better, loving, kind-hearted, and caring person than Bob.  Lord, I miss him so much.  Bob passed away on November 2, 2020.  Although he's gone, I talk to him in spirit and laugh with him.  We had a lot of good times together, going places, bus trips, movies, library, shopping, reading, and writing.  We laughed a lot together.  I really enjoyed the 7 years with him as a senior companion.  I will never forget him.  I will forever think of him.  Bob, as one of my closest friends, is part of my life story, and I hold love for him dearly in my heart.  
Forever, Sallie

Happy Father's Day to my beautiful father! You were the best father that a daughter could hope for:  kind, loving, supportive, and funny.  Thank you for being a man of strong character and integrity, as well as so open and generous with your love.  Always fascinated by life and the natural world, you taught me to be curious and see the interconnections between all things.  You said, "God is love, and God is in the details.  Look and listen carefully.  Everything is created with attention and love."   I listen and see your spirit now in the way a blue jay sings to morning light, and how the tall trees gracefully arch, lock leaves and roots, and bow to the wind.  Thank you for your deep, fatherly love.  I have enormous gratitude for all you shared with me.  You continue to inspire me every day.  I love you forever and beyond!
 

Dear Cousin Susan,
I remember meeting your father Bob for the first time at a dinner invite with your parents and our family in Seattle when I was 15 shortly after our long trip across the US.  Your father was friendly and made us feel very welcomed. He was present to each of us  in conversation and shared his experiences highly engaging our interest. I remember my father saying very positive things about him and feeling a good time was had by all.  Years later, when visiting you and Bob, I found that he continued to have that friendly, intelligent and engaging spirit.  My husband felt he was exceptionally nice, knowledgeable and enjoyable to visit. He gifted us all with his presence in our lives.
With Love and Comfort,
Your Cousins Mary and Russell

My memories of Bob are of the time I spent as a Resident Care Assistance at Stafford Suites in Kent. I'll never forget his kind smile and sweet composure. I don't ever recall a time when Bob was upset or ill mannered. I don't think he even had a mean bone in his body. Before leaving Stafford, I was passing meds and my last few memories of Bob were being tasked with finding him to give his medication. It was almost like a game of hide and seek lol, but more often than not, I'd find him asleep in the library corner in the big comfy chairs, with a book in his lap. Some nights I'd find him in his room watching old movies and I'd give him his medication, he would try to pull a fast one on me by pocketing his medication like a little chipmunk lol! When I'd catch him, he'd just smile his big smile and laugh knowing he'd almost got away with it! When I returned to Stafford, I was sad to find he's no longer with us, but grateful for the funny memories he left me with at Stafford. He was definitely one of the more memorable residents with his bright colored aloha shirts and ever present smile!

Thank you Bob for the laughs and smiles! You are missed!

Susan,
I loved talking to Bob about the wildlife and the books he would read. I remember when he took melody, the kitty down to Lacey apartments and had challenges with some of Melody's habits.Also
The trips to the library for doing his research. Pete

To my niece, 
I first met your father over 60 years ago in Olympia, the memories of names and dates are fading, but not the memories of what a kind, gentle, intelligent man he was.  As I remember,  Bob was friends with our next door neighbor; I also remember mushroom hunting with Margaret Mckinney, a well-known local naturalist, author and expert on mushrooms.  And when he married my older sister, your mother, it was the most beautiful wedding.   And then when you were born, I got to see you in the hospital with your loving parents.  I went to the University of Washington and worked for a short time for the University Hospitals system.  Bob also worked there, I believe as a pharmacologist; we had interesting discussions about  how he wanted to explore the world and photograph plants and animals.  Over the years I visited Bob occasionally; I especially remember the last visit with you and Bob in Seattle.  We spent several happy hours at Tillicum Village, the Seattle waterfront, and on a train ride up Mount Rainier.    That's what I will remember, his love of adventure, the outdoors, and most of all, you, his daughter.

OBITUARY

Robert A. Mowrey

December 26, 1934 – November 2, 2020

Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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