Robert “Bob” Kelley Cowhig, Jr. – In the early morning hours of June, 30, 2022, Bob passed away suddenly after a brief illness. He was 76 years old. Robert Kelley Cowhig, Jr. was born on December 23, 1945 in Charlotte, NC. He was the only child of Kathryn (Crosby) and Robert Kelley Cowhig.
His family moved to the Atlanta, GA area at an early age, where Bob attended Christ the King and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Schools. He would go on to graduate from Saint Pius X Catholic High School in 1965.
Bob attended Saint Bernard College in Cullman, AL before transferring and graduating from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA. Bob met the love of his life, Lynn Allison, during his college years. They would go on to get married August 23, 1969 in St. Petersburg, FL.
After graduating from college, Bob began his career with Six Flags Over Georgia where he worked from the very first opening day until 1979 before moving to Six Flags Over Texas. He would move back to Atlanta, GA and continue his career of recreation and adventure when he changed jobs to work for Stone Mountain Park as Director of Planning, Development & Maintenance in 1984, where he remained until his retirement in the fall of 2019.
At all of his jobs, Bob was a visionary, creative force that was involved in Maintenance, Building & Construction. He was always up for designing a new dimensional ride and during his time, he helped develop many new adventurous attractions to include, but certainly not limited to The Mind Bender, Thunder River, The Great Gasp, The Summit Skyride, Skyride Plaza, Evergreen Resort, The Ice Chalet, several new Thrill Rides as well as The Riverview Carousel at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Bob was responsible for developing the archery, cycling and tennis venues at Stone Mountain Park as part of the 1996 Olympic Games. He was extremely proud for being part of the team that helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta. Bob was in Tokyo, Japan for the official announcement when the games were awarded to Atlanta and was later able to carry the lit torch up Stone Mountain as part of the Olympic Torch Relay.
Bob loved life and was always up for an adventure. He enjoyed ocean cruising and was fortunate to travel most of the world with his wife Lynn. Bob took tremendous pride in his roles of a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and pet Dad. His family was most important to him. He had an excellent sense of humor in everything he did. Bob was humble, caring, thoughtful, inventive and consistently put others first. He was a “behind the scenes” kind of guy that had everyone’s back. He was a devoted fan and had a love for the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta United, Georgia Tech and NASCAR. Bob was the ultimate tour guide and ambassador – always making sure that everyone was having a good time
After retiring, Bob split his time between Lake Burton, GA and St. Petersburg, FL. Bob was a long-time active parishioner of Saint John Neumann and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Churches in Atlanta, GA and presently of Saint Helena Catholic Church in Clayton, GA and Holy Cross Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, FL. He had a very strong faith.
Bob was a man of high integrity and never had a bad word to say about anyone – always maintaining a positive outlook on life. His easy-going personality, gregarious nature, big heart, infectious laugh and inviting smile will be missed by all.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Kathryn and Robert Cowhig.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years, Lynn, his daughter Allison Cowhig of Dunnellon, FL, his son Robert III (Jennifer) Cowhig of Atlanta, GA, his four grandchildren, Amelia, Eleanor, Daniel and Colleen Cowhig and countless friends. Although his torch is no longer burning, his light will remain bright in the incredible legacy he has left behind in his family and the people he has touched along life’s journey.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a charitable donation be made in Bob’s honor to The Georgia Chapter of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 57 Executive Park South, Suite 380, Atlanta, GA 30329. https://www.cff.org/chapters/georgia-chapter
A funeral mass is planned for Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 2 PM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 2855 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 with a celebration of life taking place beginning at 5 PM at The Evergreen Pavilion at Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Interment will take place at a later date at Saint Helena Catholic Church in Clayton, GA.
