Fred Fowler

The family of Fred Fowler, 93, announces his passing at his home 6/4/2023.  Frederick Paul Fowler was born April 1, 1930 in Cambridge City, Indiana, the second of five children to parents Simon Thomas Fowler of Lewisville, IN and Edith Dale Fowler of Odiham, Hampshire, England.

Fred attended school in Cambridge City and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948. About this time, he met Nancy Henley from the neighboring community of Straughn, IN.  After graduation, Fred attended Earlham College in Richmond, IN.   One year later, on Oct 8^th 1950, Fred and Nancy were married in Nancy’s hometown.

In the mid 1930’s, Fred’s father purchased a few penny peanut machines to place in local factories. From this modest beginning grew a full-time family business which became Fowler Automatic Vending.  Except for a brief stint as a salesman for a vending machine manufacturer in 1957, Fred worked for the family business until it was sold in 2000.  By the 50^th anniversary in 1996 it had grown to an enterprise of more than 2000 vending machines, industrial cafeterias and more than 50 employees servicing industrial plants, hospitals, courthouses, filling stations, bowling alleys and even restaurants in Indiana from Muncie to Batesville, from Richmond to Greenfield and virtually every community between.

While concerning himself with both the growing family and family business, Fred was very active in his community. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Cambridge City.  He achieved the Masonic 32nd degree, a member of Cambridge City Masonic Lodge #5.  He also contributed time for many years in Junior Achievement of Eastern Indiana. A source of special pride and interest was his membership for 53 years until his retirement in 2016 on the board of directors of Wayne Bank & Trust in Cambridge City.

For more than 40 years, Fred was an avid IU basketball fan. He also enjoyed for nearly three decades an annual week-long fishing trip near the end of May to Canada, driving 24 hours and then flying to fishing camps with groups of lifelong friends and business associates.  In September each year, with childhood friend John Miller, close friend Dave Martin and assorted associates, he spent a week at John’s cottage in Frankfort Michigan Coho fishing.

Fred and Nancy were early visitors to Sanibel Island, FL after the causeway from Fort Myers was completed. From the mid 1970’s until 2015, they spent winters there, investing in condos, and eventually building a home on the island. The home on Sanibel was only one of 8 homes they built over the years, the others in Cambridge City, Richmond and Noblesville, IN.

Fred’s parents, two brothers and a sister preceded him in death. He is survived by a brother Maynard (Mick) of Cambridge City, his wife of 72 years Nancy, a son Tom Fowler (Megan) Carmel IN, three daughters Anne Liebert (Mark) Richmond IN, Chris Fowler Beavercreek OR, Suzanne Fowler (Eric Harris) Westfield IN, 4 grandchildren Brad Fowler, Lance Fowler (Lori), Mark Fowler (Lisa), and Elizabeth Henley (James)and 11 great grandchildren.

At the request of the deceased, no service will be held.  Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.  Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park.