The Lea Valley Public Vehicle Operators Association regrets to announce the passing of long time member and Treasurer Bob Bowers, owner/operator and driver of Grove Coaches.
Bob began driving in 1964 with Streets Coaches of Ware. After Streets was purchased by Dons of Dunmow, Bob stayed in Hertfordshire and worked for Sampsons Coaches until 1973 when he bought Grove Coaches from John Lynch.
Bob was renowned for reliability, constant cheerfulness and a kind and helpful heart. His popularity among other operators and drivers was immeasurable, and his passengers, mostly school children, respected him and treated him as a friend.
For some considerable time he had been contracted by Golden Boy Coaches for a daily service to St Edmunds College. On Tuesday morning, several calls were made to their offices from parents and children whose only concern was Bob’s well being. Not one complaint that the coach was late, even though Bob was fighting Cancer, and people were aware he was never late.
Golden Boy MD Terry Macintyre raised the alarm and shortly afterwards Bob was found at home.
Bob’s death was caused by complications with a malignant tumour on his Pancreas. Although separated, Bob was on the best of terms with wife Cindy and they have two sons and six grand daughters.
Peter Sampson of Sampson Coaches has many memories of the friend and former employee he always knew affectionately as “Bowersy”. Bob was the first driver ever to take a Sampson Coach to the Brighton Rally.
Bob’s funeral will be held at 10.45hrs on Friday October, 28 at All Saints Hertford, going on to Salisbury Hotel at midday.
