Dr. Robert Cowan

Dr. Robert David Cowan, of Grand Rapids,Michigan, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the age of 86. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 20, 1936, to Eugene C. Cowan and Lillian E. Cowan.

Bob graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit in 1954. After two years at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, he transferred to the University of Michigan where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958 and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1961. In 1958, he met Margaret Helmer of Grand Rapids, Michigan, at Upper Peninsula Bible Camp where they were summer workers. They were married three years later at Eastern Avenue Gospel Chapel in Grand Rapids and left immediately for Washington, DC, for Bob’s one-year dental internship. Because of the draft, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force in 1962.

After tours in England and Limestone, Maine, Bob was able to complete post-graduate studies at the University of Texas in Houston and Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, receiving his Master of Science degree in 1972. Future assignments were in Washington, DC, Thailand, California, Texas and Florida, where he retired in 1987 as Colonel after serving for 25 years. Desiring to stay active, he accepted a position as Director of an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program at the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City.

In 2000, Bob and Margaret moved to the Chicago area to be near their daughter and son-in-law and two granddaughters, all of whom he loved dearly. While in the Air Force and in civilian life, Bob was faithful to the Lord Jesus and started Bible studies at work during lunch hours and in the neighborhoods where he and Margaret lived. That was a great joy for him.

Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Eric Enstrom, his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Alicia and Grant Coulson, and granddaughter Nicole Enstrom. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one son, David Robert.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE at 2 PM with a funeral service following at 3 PM with military honors. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rest Haven Homes.