August 20, 1926 – August 26, 2023
It is with deep sadness that we inform you about the passing of Robert “Bob” Douglas Cowdery, a petroleum geologist, and a tremendous supporter of the department of Geology.
Bob enrolled at Kansas State University in 1944, then in December of that year he enlisted in the army and after training was on his way to Taiwan when the A bomb was dropped on Japan. He then served in Honolulu as a Tech St. After his discharge in 1946 Bob returned to Kansas State and graduated in 3 years with a degree in Physical Science with a major in Geology in 1949. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi (an honorary scholastic fraternity), and Sigma Delta Epsilon (an honorary geological fraternity). In 1991 Bob received the Kansas State University Distinguished Service Award. Bob completed many courses in anthropology and business attending the University of Denver, University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Butler Co. Community College and Wichita State University.
After graduation Bob was employed by Cities Service Oil Company in Oklahoma City and Great Bend. Bob began working for Petroleum, Inc. in 1951 and continued for 38 years. He spent 22 years in the Denver area exploring for oil in the Rockies. In 1975 he moved to Wichita as the company exploration manager responsible for oil exploration in 11 states. In 1985 he served Petroleum, Inc. as president and chief operating officer and retired in 1988.
Bob was a member of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Kansas Geological Society, a charter member of American Institute of Geologists, Kansas Geological Foundation, Society of Independent Earth Scientists, and a senior member of the Geological Society of America. He served as president and headed many committees of these professional organizations. In 1996 he was elected president of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
Thank you for your service and your active support in Geology Bob! Rest in Peace!