Russell Bower, October 19, 1934 — February 13, 2019

Russell Bower February 13, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Russell A. Bower, 84, of Elizabethtown, Pa. , formerly of Harrisburg, passed away on February 13, 2019, at Hospice & Community Care in Mt. Joy.

Son of the late W. Frank Bower, Jr., and Claire “Betty” (née Treat) Bower, he was born October 19, 1934, in East Orange, NJ. He and his late sister Suzanne Bower were raised there by their father and stepmother Jeanne “Jean” (née Ritchie) Bower before moving to Ridgewood, NJ. Russ graduated from Ridgewood High School.

He met his true love Joan (née Shimkus) at Gettysburg College, from where they both graduated in 1956. They married a year later, and then he joined the U.S. Air Force as an officer. They remained active members of the Gettysburg Alumni Association.

After the Air Force, Russ began his career and with Joan their family in Minneapolis, MN, then on to Chicago, and ultimately returning to Cranford, NJ, so their three children would be near grandparents and other relatives. With a passion for helping people, Russ enjoyed a long career in sales, both in corporate environments and independently. In 1970 a new position relocated the family to Harrisburg, PA, where he and Joan lived till 2015.

He founded Bower & Associates, a business and sales advisory firm supporting artisans and manufacturers of high-end specialty gifts. He was devoted to his wife of nearly 62 years, family, and the traditions that brought them together. He loved to sail, play games, garden, listen to music, travel, socialize, and encourage those around him to be happy.

Russell is survived by his wife; daughter Gail Bower (Barry Vacker) of Philadelphia; daughter Karen Armstrong (William) of Florida; son Thomas Bower (Jennifer) of York; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Masonic Conference Center Memorial Hall, 1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown. Private interment will take place the day before at Restland Memorial Park in E. Hanover, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions be made to the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra or Gettysburg College. Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., of Hershey, is handling the arrangements. SERVICES Memorial Service Saturday, March 30, 2019 11:00 AM Masonic Village Memorial Hall 1244 Bainbridge Rd.

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