Robert James Lowth, 81, of Bemidji, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at his home.

He was born Oct. 27, 1927, to Edward and Isabelle (Morrison) Lowth in New Rockford, N.D. As a young boy, he lived in many places with his family. He graduated from Minot, N.D., High School in 1945 and from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D., in 1949. On July 20, 1952, he married Naomi Johnson in Walhalla, N.D. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Memphis, Tenn., in 1952 and Ardmore, Okla. in 1953 during the Korean Conflict. From 1954-1960 he was office manager for Service Chevrolet in Fargo, N.D., and he continued in that position from 1960-1964 working for Muscatell Chevrolet until he moved to Bemidji. At that time he and his partner established Groslie-Lowth Ford. In 1968, he established Bob Lowth Ford where he worked until the time of his death. He was a past member of Bemidji Elks Lodge and Bemidji Lions Club. He enjoyed golfing, pheasant hunting, fishing, bowling, playing bridge as a couple, reading, crossword puzzles, watching sports on television, was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins fan, and visiting with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of Bemidji; daughter, Gaylene (Darrell) Nichols of Townsend, Mont.; sons, James (LuAnn) Lowth of Bemidji and Todd Lowth of Bemidji; one grandson and eight step-grandchildren; sisters, June Robinson of Fargo, N.D., and Marian Fruh of Bismarck, N.D.

 The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church in Bemidji with Rev. James De Smidt officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji.

The pallbearers will be Al Russel Johnson, Kenny Johnson, Rodger Johnson, Brian Johnson, Paul Sproule, Tim Crary, Rodney Stegman, Troy Murray and Ward Muscatell. Honorary pallbearers will be all past and present employees of Bob Lowth Ford.  In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial to First Presbyterian Church or Bemidji North Country Hospice.

Online guestbook at www.olsonschwartzfuneralhome.com.