Robert Bowran
Robert Bowran (c1868-1932), Chairman and Managing Director of Robert Bowran and Co
1932 Obituary [1]
ROBERT BOWRAN, J.P., died on October 24, 1932, at his home in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, at the age of 64.
He had been active to within a few days of his death, for, as Chairman and Managing Director of Messrs. Robert Bowran & Co., Ltd., he was at his office as recently as Thursday, October 13.
Mr. Bowran founded his Company in 1893, and on its incorporation in 1909 became its first Chairman and Managing Director, which offices he held until the time of his death.
For the past five years he had been President of the Newcastle Chemical Industry Club, and was a Member of the North-East Coast Engineers and Shipbuilders. For many years he was interested in the public life of his native town of Gateshead, being for some years a Councillor, and for over 20 years a Justice of the Peace. In this public work his chief interest was concerned with the Education Committee.
Apart from this, his main interest lay in musical circles, and he was for over 30 years musical director of the Primitive Methodist Psalmody Association and conducted massed choirs of the district in the Newcastle City Hall.
Notwithstanding his intense application to his business, Mr. Bowran found time to be of service in many directions of value to others, and in addition to that already stated, his work as Chairman of the Newcastle Branch of the National Commercial Temperance League is worthy of mention. His funeral, which took place at Gosforth on October 27, was attended by representatives of practically every firm and institution connected with the engineering world, and the Institute of Metals was represented by Mr. H. Dunford Smith and Mr. J. W. Craggs, both Past-Chairmen of the Local Section. Mr. Craggs also attended as a Director of Robert Bowran and Co., Ltd. It can be truly said that Mr. Bowran spent his life in the service of others. The evidence of all this is in the affection with which his Staff spoke of him as the "Guvnor." They recognized in him not only master, but friend.
Mr. Bowran joined the Institute of Metals in 1911, and was always enthusiastic in promoting its welfare.