Rob's Page
Rob and Paul, partners since 1979. Both movie star gorgeous!
Remember when Rob was
"K-TEM Bob" and spun all
the best records? I (Jan)
first really began to
appreciate Rob's talent
when our sixth-grade
teacher invited him to sing
to our class. I remember
his beautiful voice to this
day.
Early days. . .
Mar. 2, 2007: Rob writes:
Dear Jan,
It's always good to have news from you. You and Len were kind to visit us here in the Wine
Country. Your visit is fondly remembered. As for a life update, here goes: Spent 20 years in
communications, radio/television, both commercial and public; another 19 years in the
convention business, representing large cities and hotel corporations in the meetings and
exhibition trade. Retired from the rat race several years ago. Personal life: There might be a
book possibility here. Married for nine years, terminated in '79. Two stepsons now adults,
successful personally and professionally. X remarried. I'm currently celebrating 27 years
with my life partner, Paul. Interests include world travel, classic car restoration (Mercedes),
audio/video, hiking, landscaping, national and geopolitics, and pets---three dogs: a giant
schnauzer (Bogart), a miniature schnauzer (Daxter), and a Yorkshire terrier (Burger).
California life is now it its thirteenth year. We are grateful for good health, friends, and
family who support us with their love. The welcome mat is always out.
As ever,
Rob (a.k.a. "K-TEM Bob")
June 2, 2007: Rob writes:
Well, you wouldn't guess that I was on active duty during the
Vietnam conflict...United States Air Force...Reserve...446th
Troop Carrier Wing, Ellington Field, Houston, an information
specialist...flew a desk        ...Rob
Sue and Gladys appreciate Rob at our 25th Class
Reunion at Frank's Place at the Lake.
June 30, 2010 (tweaked Nov. 3)

We're confident you and Len will be observing our national holiday while you are "on the
move." It was thoughtful of you to take time and visit during your San Rafael trip a few years
back.
Several class members emailed to say the 50th Reunion event was well planned, making
"remembering" a very enjoyable experience. For many of us, Belton school days remain
some of life's more pleasant memories.
That said, from a perspective of almost 70 years, there are those who've realized Central
Texas 40's and 50's culture wasn't exactly Utopian. Some of our parents tried to explain the
ignorance prevalent in, but not exclusive to, southwestern and southern towns. Prejudice,
in the form of bigotry, racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and the favorite of some
adolescent males, homophobia, were part of our lives back in the day. Do I have to mention
the Minstrel Shows loaded with code words, performed in, of all places, the high school
gym? The stage play's premise was promoted as "light hearted." I wonder if the segregated
minority population living in Belton at the time, would have agreed. And then, there was the
pathetic plight of two mentally challenged young men of color, Mitt and Duck, made
unofficial mascots by some downtown merchants, who used them as laughing stock for their
more erudite clientele.
The school district was “tardy” coming to terms with the 1954 Supreme Court decision which
paved the way for public school integration.  While other schools planned for this
inevitability, the board  instead, joined with others and sued to overturn the decision. The
"Southern Manifesto" was dismissed. Next came the Washington ultimatum: “abide by the
law or Federal education funds will be withdrawn.” Only then, did the district capitulate and
comply with Title VI. Seventeen years later. There is an intriguing statement on the district’s
current website.  …“The extra time was used to institute integration more efficiently.”  While
that may be true, other districts ended segregation very successfully, and in a fraction of
the time.
Ironically, the 1964 Civil Rights Act was championed by a familiar face: President Lyndon B.
Johnson. Today, his legacy may be tarnished by Viet Nam intransigence, but it is secure
because of his courage and fairness in support of human equality.
We awarded our achievers. They were given “letters” in academics, the arts and athletics.
Question: If integration had been the norm ten years earlier, could some of the honors
belong to others? Forty four years of experience has provided an answer in the affirmative.
Fortunately, that was then, this is now. Despite societal challenges, most of us prevailed by
choosing different life pathways and became thoughtful, welcoming people.
I prefer to remember inspiring instructors, like my beloved Mother, Annette Matthews
Lowry, who taught me many things, above all, to celebrate the differences in people. When
she passed in 1971, after a 36 year career as an Educator in Belton schools, services were
held in the First Methodist Church. As the family arrived, we noticed the sanctuary was filled
to standing room only. Later, we discovered those attending were her former students
saying "Thank You." Mrs. Lowry would have been pleased.
My own high school years were filled with memorable highlights like the state championship
basketball win, coached by Mac Birtchett and the spectacular Marching 100 created on our
watch, directed by Fred Dean and J. E. "Pete" Peters. Today, public school physical
education and music studies are being terminated due to budget constraints. Programs like
these teach teamwork, so essential in life.
In the Spring of 1960, the class honored me as the male classmate "Most Likely To
Succeed." The reviews on that choice, stated honestly, are "Mixed." I suppose it depends
on how "Success" is measured. Let's play "20 Questions." (Only 5 actually.) Was college
matriculation a success? The University of Houston, known to some as "Cougar High",
benevolently conferred a Bachelor of Science in Communications/Psychology. Today, the
University's reputation speaks for itself. Wealthy? Not by today’s standard. Did I enjoy going
to work most of the time? Absolutely, through two professions spanning 45 years in Radio/
Television and the Convention/Tourism trades. Did I "do my duty?" In U.S. Air Force blue, I
flew a desk as an Information Specialist during the Vietnam conflict. A war not unlike the Iraq
misadventure, waged under false pretenses and ultimately hastening LBJ's death. Special
thanks to class members who did their part for the nation. Our condolences to those who
lost loved ones in senseless and deadly political gamesmanship. Young people should
participate in national service, if not military, the U.S. Peace Corps or state agencies like the
California Conservation Corps. The work provides a positive life view through a different
prism. Personally successful? Apparently, (after a slow start). 32 years is a long time to
share another person's life. Traditional relationships in this country last about 8 years, on
average. Our unconventional pairing endures. As Sir Elton John's song says, "We're Still
Standing!" Paul is a Telecommunications Analyst employed by corporations and high
technology companies nationwide. He is a Mensa member.  If you are not familiar, please
Google the word. Why Paul "saddled up" with someone who almost flunked general math is
a puzzlement. Like your life partner, he has been my reason for living for over three
decades and so far, it's been a great ride.
Our residence is about 25 miles across the bay from San Francisco, in the Silicon Valley East
community of Concord (Say "KONkerd") where Actor/Producer Tom Hanks was raised and a
classic 50's double screen drive-in theater still turns a profit. The city is served by BART.
Fast, efficient and comfortable transportation to downtown San Francisco and its suburbia.
The concept, similar to Japan's contemporary Bullet Trains, was conceived in 1947, when tax
money was actually used for everyone's benefit. We have enjoyed Pacific Coast living for 17
years, thankful for continued good health and proud to call Northern California home.
The evolution of human equality in the United States is an interesting journey to study. In
the period following World War Two, those who wrote American music, contributed to this
honorable cause in subtle but influential ways. Musical theater became a popular medium.
In 1951, I went with my parents to Baylor University's Waco Hall, to see a road show
performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical adaptation of James Michener's "South
Pacific." Native Texan Mary Martin, played the female lead. Lyricist Richard Rodgers wrote
the words to a song that has stood the test of time. In 1945, as the show was about to open
in New York City, the composers were asked by other Broadway producers to remove a new
song from the show. "They Have To Be Carefully Taught" dealt with racial prejudice and how
children are raised to harbor animus for people who are different. Rodgers and
Hammerstein refused. If you have interest in this subject, please Google the song title,
along with the Producer's names and read the lyrics. I believe you will find the words to be
an eloquent testament.
And thanks to my parents, for their profound and prophetic advice.
When someone inquires, I always say I grew up on North Main Street in Belton, Texas,
county seat of Bell County. And for that, I am a grateful man.

Sincerely,
Robert and Paul
Concord, California

P.S.  Giant Schnauzer Bogart, Miniature Schnauzer Daxter and Yorkshire Terrier Burger, too.
Daxter, the Miniature Schnauzer
Bogart, the
Giant
Schnauzer
Below:
Burger, the
Yorkshire Terrier
In Defense Of My Father
December 2011

John Lee Lowry was born in Temple, Texas in 1906 to upper middle class parents.
My grandfather, Robert Lee Lowry, owned the local coal distributorship and since
most people heated with coal-stoked fireplaces, the family was "well to do."
Grandfather was a civic leader, popular with everyone and an effective PR man for
the family business, who bought one of the first horseless carriages when they first
arrived in Central Texas. They lived in a large multistory Victorian home on
Temple's east side on a hill east of the Santa Fe Railway Station in a good
neighborhood not far from the King's Daughters Hospital.

Dad was the youngest of four boys and younger than his only sister. He had a
sheltered childhood and was cared for by nannies. He was always overshadowed
by his four siblings. The eldest boy became an MD and served in Army Medical
Corps during WW I. Another boy excelled in sports, graduating from Texas A and M
and was an Army Artillery Officer in WW 2. The third son was another Aggie
graduate, who became a Santa Fe Railway executive after his military service as an
Army Officer. His sister was an honor student, and a beautiful young woman, who
became an Educator in Temple Public Schools.

Dad was a handsome young man, very popular with the girls and something of a
playboy in high school. He played the Tuba or Sousaphone in the Temple High
School Band and the school dance band. His friends nick named him "Jelly"
because of his portly build. He graduated from Temple High School and Temple
Junior College. Dad would be barely too old to be included in the Draft enacted
after the nation later entered the war, but he quickly landed a job with Texas Power
and Light Company. The Great Depression had begun and he was thankful for
finding any kind of work. He retired after 43 years of service with what became
Texas Utilities Inc.

Sometime in his mid 20's, he received a call from the local high school band
director. Lawrence Welk's dance band was coming to town and needed a Tuba
player for a performance in the Kyle Hotel Ballroom. Welk's band had just formed,
playing for the large Czech communities southeast of Temple. Dad proved to be a
good performer and Welk offered him a job. When he asked the family for advice,
they were 100% against it. I think Dad always regretted turning Welk down. Music
was a big part of his life. Had he stayed with Welk, he would have become a wealthy
man, as the music maker was very generous with his show business family.

Instead, he continued as a steady breadwinner who, along with my Mother, an
Educator most of her adult life, enjoyed a comfortable living. My Father tried to be a
good parent. Unfortunately, he had a poor role model. His Father was cold and
distant with his children, who left them in his wife's care and spent most of his time
with the business. My Father was a somewhat insecure soul. He had another
employment opportunity in his 30's. A family member offered to help him get a job
with his company, Lederle Pharmaceuticals, as a sales representative. Again, he
listened to the family, who thought he would fail the training process, so he stayed
with the power utility as Public Relations Manager, obtaining easements from
property owners for power lines.

He was very close to his only Sister. Often, when family decisions were to be made,
he would ask my Mother's opinion, then visit my Aunt and ask for her advice. Later
in life, I discovered he took my Aunt's suggestions over those of my Mother which
must have hurt her terribly. Culturally, he was a "good ole boy." If he was unfaithful
to my Mother, he used the ultimate discretion. I never saw my parents fight. I recall
coming into the kitchen one morning before school. Dad had just left and Mom was
crying. She stopped immediately when I came in. That is the only raw emotion I ever
witnessed between them, aside from affection. I believe they were a devoted
couple.

Societal issues were influenced by a long list of prejudices. Dad was a racist, as
were most Central Texas white men of the 40's and 50's. He was a 32nd degree
Member of the Masonic Lodge. (At the time, a white, all-male fraternity that
harbored former Ku Klux Klan members.) Dad thought the only real Americans'
ancestors came from Ireland, Scotland or Great Britain. European immigrants were
"suspicious." Jews were subhuman. "They killed Christ, you know." (I thought the
Romans were the culprits. The Jewish leaders of the time wanted Jesus banished
from the country. The Romans took things a step too far.)

Another event signaled my Father's unhappiness. Several years before my birth, my
Father began to drink heavily. Beer was his poison and he became obese. Things
were so untenable, my Mother finally demanded that he quit or she would petition
for divorce. Dad came to terms and only drank spiked eggnog during the holidays.
He could not bear the thought of losing her. She was his life. In 1971, after my
Mother passed, he was lost without her.

My Father had a peculiar notion about a difference of opinion. One day, we went on
errands together. As we parked, I saw a friend of his across the street and I said,
"There's so and so, want to say hello?" He saw who it was and replied "We're not
friends anymore, he disagreed with me." My Father thought a difference of opinion
was somehow, a negative reflection on his intelligence.

All of this came back to me at his funeral. The family was there, employees from his
work and several women his age (Dad was very popular with the ladies, all his life.)
Sadly, he had few men friends.

Dad was a parochial guy, content in Central Texas from Waco to the north, and
south to Austin. He traveled by plane only once, to visit me while I lived in Kansas
City, Missouri. My Mother never had the experience. In the 50's, the P's took me
along on road trips out west, an idea hatched by my Mother. An Uncle was a Buick
dealer, so we had great road cars. Two weeks every summer, we'd tour the west. I
am grateful to this day for those experiences. At the age of 13, I fell in love with San
Francisco. Early one morning, we were leaving The City and had stopped for a red
light at the corner of Castro and Market Streets. I peered through the fog to read a
neon sign. Something told me, "Kiddo, you'll be back here one day." (I later learned
the sign I read was from the Twin Peaks Bar, the oldest Gay drinking establishment
in the city.)

Thirty two years later, as Paul and I were sitting in the Twin Peaks Bar nursing a
libation, I remembered, with great pleasure and appreciation of two people who
loved me unconditionally.

Like all of us, my Father was a product of his time. I loved and miss him. All things
considered, I am a much better person for having Dad in my life.

Sincerely,
RLL
Concord, California
Rob's father,
John Lee Lowry, ca. 1922
Rob's mother,
Annette Matthews Lowry,
Southwestern University,
ca. 1924
Rob's grandfather,
Robert Lee Lowry, ca. 1930
Christmas 2011: Rob and Paul with their three "babies," Daxter, Bogart, and Burger
Dick Clark, Radio/Television, Conventions And Me

Dick Clark was a remarkable individual on multiple levels. He was born into the
business, his father owning a chain of radio stations. Dick made a name for himself
as a TV host, and an ingenious show business icon. His company produced
thousands of hours of television programming including "The Golden Globe
Awards," and ABC's " New Year's Rock'n Eve." "American Bandstand" was his
signature effort. At a time when race was a very sensitive issue, he managed to
showcase Black artists in a manner pleasing to almost everyone. Clark's national TV
stage put many minority artists on the road to success. In my view, he was one of
those who supported and sustained our nation's quest for human equality, for which
we owe him our gratitude. Dick had a massive stroke several years ago, complicated
by his Type 2 diabetes, after which he worked very hard to come back but the
condition left him physically challenged, and affecting his speech. Television made
him famous and very wealthy, turning the seed money inherited from his father into
nearly $200 million by the time of his death. Clark had a spotless business
reputation, but was a brutal negotiator, as are many successful business people.
He was my role model in high school, during the Temple Radio daze. Years later, I
met Dick at a convention, where we both were to speak--he as the featured celebrity
and I representing the City of Houston, the group's meeting site the following year.
Afterward, we had a drink together and talked about our similar interests. He was in
the flesh, the same charismatic personality we enjoyed on "American Bandstand."
Genuine, in every respect, and it's hard to imagine what television would look (and
sound like) today, without his breakthrough shows (no "Glee", no "American Idol",
possibly not even any MTV).
I made the jump from Radio to Television in 1964, after graduating from the
University of Houston, and at the advanced age of 23, I was offered an entry level
position as "on the air" talent for KTRK-TV, owned by the Houston Chronicle, at the
time, a part of the nation's 8th largest television market. The work included
anchoring local newscasts, becoming a weather prognosticator, and a "sports
presenter," if you can imagine. In 1968, the Chronicle sold the station to Capital
Cities Communications, a broadcast conglomerate. Radio and Television news
department business models were beginning to change. Since broadcasting's
inception, news operations had been considered "loss leaders," journalistically and
economically independent from the station's commercial profit centers. Tabloid
news concepts and "investigative journalism" changed all that. News for profit was
the "new normal." I guessed honesty and integrity would be the initial casualties,
and they were.
About that time, I met Chester A. Wilkins, the CEO of the Houston Convention and
Visitors Council, who offered a Marketing role and said he would teach me the
convention business. Chet was an 'Old Pro", having just arrived from Chicago to
build the city's Convention and Tourism national image. The Meetings/Tourism
industry was the right move. What followed were Convention Bureau management
and marketing spots in Houston, Dallas with the Fairmont Hotel Company, Kansas
City, Missouri, Corpus Christi, and finally, retirement in Northern California. It was a
pleasure working with wonderful people from every walk of life you can imagine, and
traveling the USA and abroad on the Hotel Tax payer's dime.
Conventions mean millions of dollars in income to cities having the facilities to
accommodate them. A few of the accomplishments were being a part of teams that
brought the National Association of Home Builders Exhibition and Convention to
Dallas, the Democratic Mid Term National meeting to Kansas City and the Texas
Republican Convention to Corpus Christi (I'm not fond of Republicans in general,
but their money spends the same as the Demorats').
Incidentally, I never really "left" Television, continuing in Public Television as a
Public Affairs host until my retirement in 1994. A small "pay it forward" contribution. It
was a good run. Fond memories remain of the 37 years I enjoyed "going to work".

> Robert and Paul Lowry
> Concord, California