Robert J. McGowan

McGowan Robert J., formerly of Hibbing, MN, passed away in the comfort of his family at home in Minnetonka, MN, on June 30, 2003. Born in Chisholm, MN, on August 16, 1920, he graduated from Hibbing High School in 1938 and then attended St. Thomas College. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1944 and was honorably discharged in 1946. Bob joined the Hibbing Police Department in 1953 and had a distinguished career. He served as a patrol officer, juvenile officer, detective and retired in 1976 as the senior Captain of the department. He then became one of the pioneers of the School of Law Enforcement at the Hibbing Community College, where he developed the program curriculum and served as an instructor from 1976 to 1982. His wife of 62 years, Barbara (Dougherty), his six children, Barb Selness, Roberta Way (Joe Pias), Michael (Lorraine) McGowan, Patrick (Ellen Aspenson) McGowan, Jerri (Steve) Phyle, Mary (Kyle) Curtis and one sister, Betty Findlay, survive Bob. He also has seven grandchildren, four great- grandchildren, along with many other relatives. Bob was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial followed by reception will be held 10 AM on Thursday, July 3, 2003 at HOLY NAME OF JESUS OF MEDINA, 155 Co Rd 24. Family and friends begin to gather at 8:30 AM. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the family. Historic Thomson-Dougherty 612-871-4407

Published on July 1, 2003