ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 15, 1990                   TAG: 9003143267
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OBIT-BOWIE, R.

BOWIE, ROBERT C.\ Dr. Robert C. Bowie, age 89, died Wednesday, March 14, 1990, at Cambridge House, Bristol, Tenn. He was born May 7, 1908, in Glendale Springs, N.C He was graduated Salutatorian from Elk Creek (Virginia) High School and was graduated from Palmer School of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa on April 1, 1927. He was married 55 years to Pearle Eleanor Webb Bowie, who died in December of 1982. Prior to moving to Bristol in 1986, he had lived in Galax, VA for 61 years. In 1936, he successfully lead the drive to build the first municipal swimming pool and tennis courts in Galax. He was instrumental in starting the "Old Time Fiddlers' Convention" in Galax and served as chairman of the first ten conventions, starting in 1934. He served twice as president of the Galax Lions Club, was Governor of the Galax Moose Lodge and in 1938 was elected President of the State Association of Moose Lodges. He served twice as President of the Galax Chamber of Commerce and was the first President of the consolidated Galax-Carroll-Grayson Chamber of Commerce. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1943 and served in Virginia's House of Delegates. He served as Chairman of the Grayson County Democratic Committee and was campaign chairman for a number of successful candidates for elected offices. Without solicitation, he was drafted by a popular movement as the "eople's candidate" and was elected and served as Mayor of the City of Galax in the late 1940's and early 1950's, at which time the Mayor also served as Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Galax. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Galax, having served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, several terms as Superintendent of Sunday School and was active in the drive to raise funds to build a new church. He was a former moderator of the New River Baptist Association. As a member of the State Legislature, he introduced legislation to amend the Medical Practice Act to provide for recognition of chiropractors by licensing. As the first chiropractor to ever serve in that capacity, he was a member of the Virginia Board of Medical Examiners from 1944 to 1954. During his 55 years of practice, he treated some 22,000 patients. Dr. Bowie received many local, state and national honors, among which were the Galax Jaycees' Outstanding Citizen Award in 1954, the Galax Moose Lodge's Outstanding Citizen Award in 1960, Outstanding Alumnus of the year, Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1964, Galax Outstanding Lion of the Year Award for 1965. In June of 1989, he was awarded the Lee-Homewood Chiropractic Heritage Award presented by the Association for History of Chiropractic in a ceremony in New York City. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. J. Allen (Betsy) Ballard, Picayune, Miss.; two sons, Bobby W. Bowie, Ridgefield, Conn. and Jimmy D. Bowie, Bristol, VA; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Oakley-Cook Funeral Home is in charge. Funeral services for Dr. Robert C. Bowie will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, Galax, VA, with Dr. Carroll Golden and Dr. James Pickens officiating. Private committal services and burial will follow in the Worrell Cemetery, Woodlawn, VA. Deacons of the church will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 70 East Lake Street, Chicago, Ill. 60601. The body will be placed in the church at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. There will be no reception of friends or viewing at the funeral home, but friends may sign a register at the funeral home or at the church. Oakley-Cook Funeral Home is in charge. 


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