Obituary of Robert V. Towner

Robert Vincent Towner of 6 Fairview Knoll NE, Iowa City, died on St. John’stide, June 24, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Mr. Towner was born on June 1, 1923, in Chicago, IL, the son of Arthur Leroy Towner and Ruth Vincent Towner. As a young boy, he moved to Iowa City with his family. He was baptized December 18, 1932 at Trinity Episcopal Chruch in Iowa City. He graduated from City High School with the Class of ’41. He attended the University of Iowa from 1941 until 1942, he was admitted as a midshipman to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated in 1945 with a B. S. degree and was commissioned as an ensign in the U. S. Navy. After serving in the Pacific Theatre until the end of World War II, he remained on active duty in the Navy until 1952 when he retired with the rank of lieutenant. Mr. Towner married Nancy Frey Pfeiffer on August 4, 1946, in Glen Ellyn, IL. She was at the center of his life. Mr. Towner’s second career was with the American Hospital Supply Corporation, based in Evanston, IL. In 1968, he retired from business and entered the National College of Education where he took graduate courses and was certified to teach. For ten years, he taught junior high social studies for the Glencoe (IL) Public Schools. Mr. Towner returned to Iowa City with Nancy in 1982. He belonged to Trinity Episcopal Church where he served as a vestry member, treasurer, and lay administrator. He was a cofounder of the parish chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He established the Order of St. Francis and St. Clare at Trinity, a devotional order for acolytes. Mr. Towner trained generations of acolytes in his many years of service to Trinity. A lover of history, Mr. Towner was a docent for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library for twelve years and received the Governor’s Volunteer Award for his service. He was also a longtime member of Rotary Club. Mr. Towner was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Nancy on January 6, 2003, and by his twin sister, Bette Towner Cox of Newton, IA. He is survived by four sons and their families: Robert Arthur Towner, his wife Helen, and son Theodore Vincent of Cape Girardeau, MO; Josef Towner and his wife Elyse Yasgur of Sandia Park, NM; William Cedric Towner, his wife Cherie, son William, and stepsons Dan and Greg of Tulsa, OK; and Mark Andrew Towner, his wife Maria Cusumano, and son Marco Cusumano-Towner of Andover, MA, and many godchildren. Friends may call from 7 to 9 PM Saturday, June 26, at Trinity Episcopal Church. A Memorial Service honoring Mr. Towner will be at 10 AM Monday, June 27, at Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Towner’s ashes will reside in the Trinity Columbarium. Memorial donations can be given through the church to the R.V. Towner Memorial Fund or the Herbert Hoover Library. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Robert’s family and his services.