WOOLWICH — Captain Roland Tomlin Evans Bowler, III, USN (Retired) — affectionately known as “Tom” — 67, a former resident of Northern Virginia, died at home on 24 February, 2013.

He was born March 9, 1945 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the first son of the late Commander R.T.E. “Bud” Bowler, Jr. and Martha Jean “Beno” Bowler.

A 1967 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Tom served 28 years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer and Engineering Duty Officer. He is a past President of the American Shipbuilding Association. He served as a Vice- President at Bath Iron Works for 14 years, retiring in 2011. Most recently, he served on the Board of the Maine Maritime Museum. He earned masters degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.

He is survived by his wife, Sherri, and his four children: R.T.E. “Beau” Bowler, IV, and his wife, Ruth, of Winston- Salem, NC; Derek Bowler and his wife, Lesley, of San Francisco, CA; Kevin Bowler and his wife, Susan, of Hampton, VA; and Kelly Bowler of Woolwich, ME. Five grandchildren also survive him: Ella, Kyle, Julia, Luke, and Brynn. He is also survived by his former wife, Marietta. In addition, he is survived by three siblings: brother, Rear Admiral Daniel Bowler, USN (Retired) and his wife, Susan, of Annapolis, MD; sister, Linda Pierson and her husband, Judge Michel Pierson, of Baltimore, MD; and sister, Amy Harris and her husband, John Harris, of Charlottesville, VA.

Tom was also a passionate dog lover. Throughout his life he enjoyed a number of dogs, many of them gluttonous, all of them loving companions. His current chocolate Labrador, Sampson, is wondering what happened to his best friend.

He was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend. He will be remembered for his zest for life, intelligence, sense of humor, selflessness, love for the U.S. Navy and shipbuilding, and, lastly, for a variety of unique and endearing hand gestures and vocalizations.

A celebration of his life will take place at the Maine Maritime Museum at 243 Washington St. in Bath, ME at 4:00pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street, Bath, ME 04530 or at www.mainemaritimemuseum.org.

Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High Street, Bath. Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.