Obituary of Robert Lee Fowler

Robert L. (Bob) Fowler, Jr. died July 3, 2013. Bob was the son of the late Robert L. Fowler, Sr. and Almarie Bramlett Fowler. A native of Chapel Hill, he graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 1953. He was a 1957 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Economics. While at UNC, Bob studied creative writing under Max Steele. After graduating from UNC, Bob served 2 years active duty in the Navy to complete his NROTC program. He had begun a promising writing career when his father became ill and he had to take over the family business, Fowler's Food Store in Chapel Hill and Durham. He sold the Chapel Hill store in the late 70's. Through hard work and a very creative business sense, he transformed Fowler's in Durham from a very successful independent grocery store to an even more successful gourmet food and wine store which he relocated to Bright Leaf Square. He sold the store in 1998. One of Bob's greatest pleasures was knowing and waiting on many wonderful customers, as well as working with many great employees and suppliers who helped make Fowler's Gourmet the success it was. Bob is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters, Sonya Fowler and Alexis Fowler Smith; grandchildren, Rebecca and Joseph Gattis; sister, Donna Fowler, and five nieces. A visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Walker's Funeral Home in Chapel Hill Friday, July 12. The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, in Walker's Funeral Home Chapel, followed by a celebration of Bob's life at Glasshalfull in Carrboro. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ayr Mount, 376 St. Mary's Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278 for the foot bridges to be built over the Eno River to connect Ayr Mount to Occoneechee Farm. Bob and Karen enjoyed many serene afternoons walking the trails and sitting under the trees at Ayr Mount and Occoneechee.