FLORISSANT, Mo. – The former mayor of Florissant has died after a half-century of public service. Robert Lowery, Sr. rose from the ranks of a police officer to police chief in Florissant in 1979 and was elected mayor in 2000. He served on the boards of other civic organizations before retiring in 2011.
Most people throughout Florissant called him Bob Lowery. He was a political force and law enforcement force for decades. Lowery suffered a fall at his home Sunday and was taken to Christian Hospital where he never regained consciousness. Lowery, a lifelong Catholic, received the Sacrament of Last Rites and died Monday night with his family around him in the hospital room.
Lowery was 79.
He started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Florissant and rose to the rank of Chief in 1979. He held that position for 22 years and was a driving force behind establishing the Major Case Squad.
Lowery became mayor of Florissant in 2001 and retired in 2011. He was known for placing public safety as a priority and for drawing businesses and residents to increase the size of Florissant.
Current Florissant Mayor Thomas Schneider said, “People will always think about him as chief as much as mayor, but he was a larger than life figure as mayor and we certainly benefited from his prestige and his drive and his initiative. He was always promoting progress. Progress together was our co-favorite words.”
Visitation:
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Hutchens Mortuary & Cremation Center
Time: 2pm-8pm
Service:
Friday, August 3, 2018
Sacred Heart Catholic Church – Florissant
Time: 10:00am
Saddened w/ the passing of Bob Lowery, former Mayor of Florissant. He lived a life of service – 41 years in law enforcement, including 22 as Chief. A decade as Mayor for a community he loved. He raised money & awareness for juvenile diabetes. A true loss. Prayers for his family.
— Gina Walsh (@walshgina) July 31, 2018
Note: This story has corrected the age of Robert Lowery at the time of his death.
