Robert Allen Gower

Robert (Bob) Allen Gower, beloved husband, brother, and uncle, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 7, 2026, at the age of 69.

Bob was born on March 2, 1957, in Winsted, Connecticut. His family later moved to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts, where he graduated from Mount Everett High School in 1975. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Barry University.

In 1975, Bob moved with his family to Titusville, Florida, where he began a distinguished career at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), spending the majority of his time supporting Space Shuttle payload operations, where he was honored with the prestigious NASA Silver Snoopy award given by Astronauts to recognize exceptional contributions to flight safety and mission success. It was at KSC that he met the love of his life, Jackie. The couple relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, in 2008, and were married in 2009. In Huntsville, Bob brought his expertise to Boeing Ground Missile Defense and later served as a NASA contractor at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

Following his retirement from MSFC in early 2025, Bob and Jackie embraced a new chapter of adventure, traveling together as often as possible. An avid outdoorsman, Bob combined his love for nature with his talent for wildlife and sports photography. He was a familiar and welcome fixture on the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying his role as a photographer for Birmingham Beach Volleyball and the University of Alabama Huntsville women’s volleyball team. Bob’s passions also extended to his love for barbecue, which led him to become a certified Kansas City Barbecue Society judge.

Above all, the true joy of Bob’s life was his family. He cherished every moment spent with Jackie and his large, tight-knit extended family. No matter the distance or the state, "Uncle Bob" was always in the bleachers or the audience, proudly supporting his nieces and nephews in all of their endeavors.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, James Gower; his mother, Gabrielle Gower; and his sisters, Nancy Gower and Donna Gregory.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Jackie; his brothers, Jim (Kathy), Dennis (and the late Janis), and Jeff (Dana); and his sisters, Linda (Maurice), Betty (Monty), and Patty (Greg), as well as 62 nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends who will miss his warmth, energy, and camera flash.