Obit. - Robert Dowden, Sr.
The following obituary ran in the Minneapolis Star/Tribune the first week of August, 2006:
DOWDEN, ROBERT ERNEST, SR.
age 86, of Plymouth, MN, passed away on July 25, 2006.Robert leaves behind his loving children, Deborah D. Dowden, Jerri D. and Charles J. Nelson, Robert E. Dowden, Jr., "son Rob" and Judy Tsatsos and family, and his devoted partner of many years, Victoria Sazama and her family.He was preceded in death by his parents Lavina and Ernest M. Dowden and his brother Donald D. Dowden.Robert was an officer in the Air Force and served his country during World War II and Korea.Robert, a Minneapolis native, was a talented and astute business man with diverse careers in the clothing industry, Day's Men's Wear, which took the family to Tacoma, Washington and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada for some time and was a partner in a commercial real estate development concern, St. Croix Ventures, for over 30 years.Robert is survived by ex-wives, Ardella G. Kalkes, the mother of his children, and Phyllis Dowden, as well as a multitude of AA friends.
Robert's family and Victoria Sazama would like to thank the doctors and staff at Regency Hospital in Golden Valley for the tender and compassionate care Robert received while he shared his life with them.
Robert will be remembered as a truly unique person, as a loving father and partner, for his strength of spirit and determination and always, always as the dapper dresser, never without a hat.He would prefer his life to be celebrated in the heart, mind and spirit.No memorials, please.