Jacob Robert Bowers

Jacob R. Bowers , formerly of Laureldale, died May 12 in the Reading Hospital . He was the husband of the late Gertrude M. (Loser) Bowers. They were married August 8th 1944 in Zion Lutheran Church, Harrisburg. Prior to Gertrude's death, they had celebrated 69 years of marriage. Both Jacob and Gertrude grew up in Harrisburg. Most recently, they were long time residents of Phoebe Berks Village in Wernersville.

Jacob was born January 1921 in Harrisburg and was the son of Jacob Robert, Sr., and Esther Grace (Greenholt) Bowers. Jacob is also predeceased by a brother John of Pompano Beach, Florida. He is survived by a brother, Richard A. of Indianapolis, Indiana. Jake and Gert had two daughters, Rebecca Bowers-Lanier (Jack) of Richmond, Virginia, and Mary Beth Purnell (Skip), Fleetwood. There are two grandchildren: Kirsten Coulter (Brian) of Richmond Hill, Georgia, and Scott Baum, Jr., (Christine) of Cranston, Rhode Island. In addition there are four great grandchildren: Jake Coulter, Elise Coulter, Caden Baum, and Anika Baum.

Jake was a graduate of the University of Chicago, holding a BA in sociology and economics, and Dickenson College of Law in Carlisle. Jake served as a U.S. Army Infantry Captain during WWII and Korea. He was awarded the Bronze Star. In addition he earned a pilot's license in 1940.

Jake retired from PP&L in 1983. Prior to that he was Executive Director of the Berks County Planning Commission. His career involved urban planning, zoning, subdivision regulations, and land preservation. He was a co-founder of the Berks County Conservancy. Through his work he helped designate as scenic waterways those areas along the Tulpehocken Creek, Mill Creek in Lebanon County and part of the Cacoosing Creek in Berks. This work led to the development of the Tulpehocken Creek Park, the Kaercher Creek Park, both from Berks , and Angelica Park owned by the city of Reading. Jake was also involved in the planning and development of the Union Canal Towpath and the Rails-to-Trails initiative.

After retirement Jake served on the BARTA board of directors for 27 years. Additionally he was appointed by then Governor, Robert Casey, to the State Transportation Commission in 1993. It is Jake's involvement in mass transportation and the planning and budgeting of transportation projects throughout the state that gave Jake his greatest pride.

Jake was active in the Reading and Muhlenberg Rotary Clubs having served as a past president of the Reading club. Jake was awarded the distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Award for his service in promoting understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. He also contributed through Rotary to the Polioplus Program through which he received recognition.

Jake received his greatest satisfaction with his involvement in the community. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. He was a member and involved in many environmental groups, including the Schuylkill River Greenway Association, Nature Conservancy, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, Lancaster County Conservancy, Oley Valley Heritage Association, Old Dry Road Farm Association, and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

Jake was a member of the Reading Musical Foundation, Friends of Chamber Music, Greater Reading Chamber of commerce and Industry, YMCA, Berks History Center, World Affairs Council, Berks County Senior Citizens Council, and a life member of the Pennsylvania Congress of PTAs.

Jacob liked to keep up with current events. He was a devoted reader of the New York Times. He and Gert spent Sunday afternoons working the New York Times crossword puzzle. He loved to listen to classical music and at one time played the recorder in a local recorder group. Jacob loved to sing and participated in the Calvary Lutheran choir and the Phoebe choir later in life. He was an avid traveler through Elderhosteling. Gert and Jake travelled extensively, first through the military from 1942 to 1951, and after his retirement in 1983. In addition to traveling widely throughout the US, the couple visited most of Europe, the Middle East, and China. Jacob above all was a "people person". He enjoyed friendly conversations and meeting new and interesting people.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Berks County Conservancy , 25 North 11th St., Reading, PA 19601. Contributions may also be appreciated to the Phoebe Health Center, 9 Heidelberg Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565.

Kuhn-Stitzel Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., Laureldale is entrusted with arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.kuhnstitzelfuneralhomes.com.