Robert “Bob” Bowers, of Mattapoisett, husband to Cathy Bowers, passed away peacefully at his home on April 1, 2025, at the age of 77 after a courageous battle with ALS.
Bob was born in Roxbury, MA on June 18, 1947, to Edward and Catherine (McGuire) Bowers. He was raised in Dorchester, MA where he attended BC High. In 1969 Bob completed his undergraduate degree at Boston College where he worked at the radio station and developed his lifelong love of radio. He went on to get his master’s degree at the University of Maine and then taught high school English in Boston.
In 1979 he started as a professor of English, speech, and radio broadcasting at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA. Bob started Radio Massasoit and developed a thriving Media Arts program with Professor Tim Trask. Bob brought together a diverse student population with people from the region to create new and innovative programming to serve the greater Brockton community. Partnering with WATD in Marshfield, WKKL on Cape Cod, and many other radio stations in the region, Bob gave opportunities for Massasoit students to learn and grow in radio, podcasting, and audio production. Bob served as the department chair of Communicative Arts at Massasoit for many years. As chair, he was credited with revitalizing the Media Arts program, expanding the course offerings, and advocating tirelessly for Massasoit students. He was honored by Massasoit with the Marguerite Donovan award for his dedication and commitment to students.
Bob was an avid fan of old-time radio, western movies, and TV programs. He was a long-time member of the Radio Collectors of America and attended annual radio conventions for many years. At one of these conventions Bob and his long-time friend Alan Chapman had the idea to re-create live radio shows locally with original stars. After producing shows in the Massasoit TV studio, the program was moved to the theater and Radio Classics Live was born.
Radio Classics was a unique stage show with a live audience that was broadcast on the radio, aired on Massasoit’s regional cable channel and recorded to be streamed on-demand. The show was performed for over 20 years with two shows per year and featured stars like Peg Lynch, Will Hutchins, Betsy Palmer, Arnold Stang, Dick Van Patten, Alan Young, John Astin, Rosemary Rice, and many more. Bob was the driving force behind every one of the 41 shows which brought together original stars of radio, television, film, and local on-air personalities to produce old-time radio shows from the ’30s ’40s and ’50s. In the 20 years of Radio Classics Live, Bob raised over one million dollars in scholarship funds for Massasoit students. He received a lifetime achievement award from students for his work on Radio Classics Live.
Bob had a passion for his role as an educator. His primary concern was always for the students. Bob’s kindness and compassion extended to all animals especially the beagles Lucy and Daisy who shared the Bowers’ Mattapoisett home. He was always a friend to any animal in need.
Bob enjoyed vacationing with his wife Cathy in Stowe, Vermont and Siesta Key, Florida where the couple made some great friends. He was an ardent sports fan and had season tickets to the Red Sox and Celtics for many years.
Bob had a sarcastic wit and often quoted humorous sayings. His favorite quote was from George Burns who, when asked, “What are you going to do if you die?” responded, “I can’t die, I’m booked!”
Bob’s family would like to thank the ALS Clinic of Massachusetts General Hospital, Compassionate Care ALS of Falmouth, MA and Southcoast Hospice. Their caring and compassion made this difficult journey a little more bearable.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Cathy Bowers of Mattapoisett, her son Jayme Wood and his partner Melonie Lefter of Mattapoisett, Bob’s sisters-in-law Pamela Carrier of Mattapoisett, and Jennifer Carrier and her family of New Bedford.
His visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 11th from 5-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12th at 10 am in St. Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond Street, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574 or at ccals.org. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
I am so sorry to hear this. I have know Bob for many years. He was one of the best instructors I had at Massasoit. (There were quite a few, he was one of my favorites). I was in the first radio class he started. His passion for radio was unmatched. He was tireless getting Radio Classics Live to Massasoit. I learnt a lot from him and enjoyed his wisdom and humor. He was a top notch instructor, mentor and friend. He will be missed by all that new him.
My sympathies go to his wife Cathy and his family. His Massasoit family will feel a deep void. Rest in Peace Bob.
I too am deeply moved to hear about the passing of Bob and my condolences and sympathies go out to the Bowers family and Massasoit College. I knew Bob for at least 5 years during my time at the college and was one of his students in the Communications program, as well as one of the DJ’s for both his Cable and FM radio stations and ran the Radio Club there at the college for a few years. He was a mentor, a passionate radio pioneer, and someone that I learned more in an hour from than from my other radio professors in the 5 years that I went there. His sense of humor and wit were legendary in the annals of education, and to this very day, I cannot think of one professor that came close to the amount of laughs that I got from him. For that, I thank him.
I had the wonderful opportunity to be involved with his Radio Classics shows over the time that I attended the college, and was able to meet several of the stars of the show thanks to Bob. He was truly a gem for the Radio and Television field, Massasoit, and all those that knew him. You will be missed greatly, Bob. Thank you for everything you gave to us and this field. Rest in Peace.
-CT