Robert Morrow Owen

Robert Morrow Owen Sr, 97, of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, died at home on June 16, 2017. Mr. Owen was born in Weehawken, New Jersey on April 30, 1920 to Mabel Almira Ofeldt and Russell Everett Owen. He married Edna Marie Podgwaite on June 8, 1946 in Cheshire Connecticut. Mr. Owen grew up in Rye NY, graduating from Rye High School in 1938. He attended Cornell University before enlisting in the US Army Air Corp in 1942. He served as First Lieutenant in World War II in the Asiatic Pacific front, piloting B-25 bombers and A-26 Invader for the Army Air Corp receiving a Distinguished Service Badge, Asian Pacific Service Medal and Air Medal. Mr. Owen worked in sales and business management throughout his career, most notably as the assistant business manager of Rose Tree Media Public School System while living in Concord, PA and after moving to Shrewsbury served as business manager for Southern York County Public Schools, retiring in 1982. He has been recognized for his extraordinary volunteer efforts which include Boy Scout leadership, membership in the Jaycees, and serving on the zoning board while living in Delaware County, PA and later as a founder and President of the Shrewsbury Public Library and serving in several leadership capacities with the Paul Smith Library. Mr. Owen also taught AARP driver safety classes and was an active member of the York Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was very fond of sailing, owning several boats from the time he was a teen, and competing in and winning races at the Great Oak Yacht Club and the Columbia Sailing Association on the Chesapeake. Night racing and long distant trips to Long Island sound were his favorites. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Janet Owen, a brother Russell E Owen Jr., his wife, and a son-in-law Donald Farrell Jr. He is survived by a brother Richard Owen Sr of Pennington NJ, a daughter Sandra Owen Brockel (Thomas) of Lake Anna, VA, a son Robert M Owen of Wilmington DE, a son Richard L Owen Sr. of Milton DE (Patricia), a daughter Nancy Owen-Farrell (the late Donald Farrell Jr.) of Kennett Square PA, a son David O Owen (Naomi) of Kutztown, PA, 10 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. Visitation will be at 11:00 am on Sunday, July 9 followed by a memorial service at noon will be held at J.J. Hartenstein Funeral Home, New Freedom PA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Paul Smith Public Library of Shrewsbury, 80 Constitution Avenue, Shrewsbury PA 17361.