On December 22, 2014 Robert E. Brower, Sr. transcended to his eternal home at two o'clock pm at Reynolda Park. Mr. Brower fought a long battle with Alzheimer's.

He lived a wonderful life of giving service to his community through his involvement with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the Social Promoters Club (Financial Secretary for 35 years; was the longest tenured and oldest living member), the Couples Club, Sigma Phi Pi Fraternity and several professional educational organizations. He was friend to many; even in retirement, he transported cancer patients to hospitals for treatment. But probably his most proud accomplishment was that of being the patriarch of a loving and supportive family.

On June 14, 1947, he married Marian Friende of Kernersville, N.C. after an unusually long relationship. He met Marian when they were very young children. Their first meeting was the beginning of a continued "heart connection" which ended in a marriage lasting sixty-seven years.

During this wonderful life, many exciting progressions developed. Robert was a member of the first Black band in the U.S. Navy. You might think that this wasn't an important segment in WWII. The opposite was actually the case; he was part of a select group of musicians commissioned by Eleanor Roosevelt and Governor Melville Broughton to serve at a rank other than messman. These men were also awarded a Master's in Music by the Navy based on their skill and experience.

At the end of the war, he completed his graduation from A&T College in Greensboro, N.C. and went on to earn his MBA at Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. After moving to Winston-Salem in 1950, he opened a neighborhood grocery store, Midget's Supermarket. A second store opened shortly thereafter. After these stores closed due to local freeway expansions, he started a second career as an educator. He taught at local middle and high schools before becoming a principal at A.H. Anderson High School, the first black principal of a predominantly white high school, West Forsyth, and principal at Walkertown Middle School.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marguerite R. Thornton and Ethel Brower; and his nephew, Charles S. Greene, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Marian M. Friende Brower; children, Lynda C. Brower-Isabel (Wyatt K. Isabel) of Chapel Hill, NC, and Robert E. Brower, Jr. and Keith B. Brower (Tonya Brower) both of Winston-Salem, NC; grandchildren, Robert E. Brower, III, Bradford C. Brower, Lauren B. Isabel, and Thomas C. Isabel; great-grandson, Noah Brower; two brothers, Carl W. Brower and Walter L. Brower both of Greensboro, NC; nieces and nephews, Samuel L. Hamlin, Jr. (Marie) of Greensboro, NC, Mona H. Martin (Eddie) of Atlanta, GA, Madeline H. Shepperson of Winston-Salem, NC, Cheryl Friende, Billy D. Friende Jr.(Donza), Drew F. Brower, Carl W. Brower, Jr., Myra B. Waddell (Harry), Buddy Richardson (Rona) of Philadelphia, PA, and Terry Richardson of Philadelphia, PA; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Gwendolyn Greene and Mrs. Bettye Friende; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Friday, December 26, 2014 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Pastor Donald Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Friday at the Church.