IN MEMORIAM

Robert H. Bower, M.D. of Cincinnati passed away September 11, 2005 from cancer. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, he attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. After receiving his doctor of medicine from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha, he served his residency in General Surgery at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He came to Cincinnati in 1980 as a fellow in Surgical Nutrition and remained on the faculty at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine until his death.

Beginning as Assistant Professor of Surgery in 1981, he was promoted to full Professor in 1995. Dr. Bower was an active clinician at several area hospitals and a nationally recognized expert in gastrointestinal surgery and nutrition.

Dr. Bower was profoundly dedicated to surgical education and his residents. He served as Director of the Division of Education of the Department of Surgery from 1986 until his death. He was also Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency from 1986 until 2002 and Director of the Program for Residency Education in General Surgery from 2002 until his death. He served on numerous committees within the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati.

Dr. Bower led the general surgery residency training program for almost twenty years with a passion for education in the art and science of surgery. He was a tireless advocate for the surgical resident and the educational mission of the University of Cincinnati. He profoundly influenced the careers of several generations of trainees, balancing roles as professor, coach, colleague, father and friend. He was admired not only for his teaching skills, but for the personal attention and support he gave to each resident. Dr. Bower combined a deep sense of surgical tradition with a modern emphasis on compassion and professionalism.

Dr. Bower’s goal was to develop well-rounded persons and skilled surgeons who shared his compassion and demonstrated an enthusiasm for learning. Dr. Bower’s excellent performance as a mentor and advocate for students and residents resulted in his being elected to Alpha Omega Alpha as a faculty member in 1998. He was a finalist of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” award in 2003 and 2004. His leadership and commitment to education at the national level were recognized by his receipt of the 2004 Association for Surgical Education Outstanding Teacher Award.

In 1994, Dr. Bower was appointed the Chief of Surgical Service at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was a leader locally and nationally in the VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Dr. Bower was deeply committed to veterans and pursued the best care possible for them.

Dr. Bower was a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, a Fellow of the American Surgical Association, a member of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery, the Association for Surgical Education, a colleague in the Association of VA Surgeons, the Central Surgical Association, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, the Cincinnati Surgical Society, the Society for Parenteral Alimentation, the Society of University Surgeons, and the Halsted Society. He served the American Board of Surgery as an Examiner from 1994 until his death and as a Director from 1995-2001.

Dr. Bower was a member of the Editorial Board of Contemporary Surgery. He was the author and co-author of nearly 100 original publications and book chapters.

Dr. Bower served as President and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati. He was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church serving as Elder and a member of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Bower was happiest when surrounded by his family and close friends. His fondest memories were from his quaint cabin on St. Joseph Island, Canada, where he and his family vacationed every summer since 1980. Up North, he found joy in simple endeavors and captivated his audiences with the wit and humor that were his trademark.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Sibert. He is survived by his wife, Debbie and his children Conrad, Harvey and Frances, as well as his father, John of Omaha, Nebraska and his sister, Susan Bower (Scott) Tetrick, Portland, Oregon.