Rev. H. Robert Cowles

Rev. H. Robert Cowles, 90, of Carlisle died Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Chapel Pointe at Carlisle.
He was born December 13, 1922 in Painesville, OH, the son of the late Harry Russell and Bessie “May” Yarnell Cowles and was married for 63 years to Marjorie Dailey Cowles, who predeceased him.
Robert was a 1940 graduate of Warren High School in Warren, PA, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Nyack College and a master’s degree from New York University. He was an Army Signal Corps operator in WWII, stationed in the South Pacific. He subsequently was ordained as a minister and then served as a missionary with his wife to the Philippines from 1952-1963, then served at the C&MA headquarters in NYC for five years and an additional fifteen years as editor of the church magazine “Alliance Life.” He also served for five years as executive director of Christian Publications in Camp Hill, PA.
Surviving are a son, Daniel Harrison Cowles; three daughters, Rebecca Cowles Swanson (and husband John), Deborah Jane Cowles, and Esther Cowles Schaeffer (and husband Andrew); eight grandchildren, Sarah Marjorie Swanson Weisenburn (and husband Robert), R. Paul Schaeffer, H. David Schaeffer, Stephen A. Schaeffer, Mark D. Schaeffer, Rebekah Jane Schaeffer, Eric J. Swanson (and wife Shana), Kristin Swanson Dutcher (and husband Erik); four great-grandchildren, Rachel Dutcher, Nicholas Dutcher, Rebecca Skoller and Rakel Swanson; sister, Elizabeth Huck; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding him in death was his brother, David Cowles.
In the midst of our family’s grief we are sustained by Robert’s example of contentment in God’s purpose for his life, a characteristic he admirably demonstrated amid the many challenges he faced. We mourn, but rejoice in the assurance that he is now in the presence of the Lord and Savior he served so faithfully throughout his life.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, in the Henry Chapel of Chapel Pointe, 770 South Hanover Street, Carlisle, with Rev. Walter L. Frankenberry officiating. Burial will be in Letort Cemetery, Carlisle.
Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 219 North Hanover Street, Carlisle is in charge of the funeral arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Great Commission Fund of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, P.O. Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935.
To sign the guest book visit www.hoffmanroth.com.