Richard Glenn Fowler

Richard Glenn Fowler, 67, of Liverpool, NY died at home surrounded by his family on December 31, 2016, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Born on September 30, 1949, Rik grew up in the Valley and Onondaga Hill areas of Syracuse. He was a lifelong learner and proud of his educational accomplishments. He attended Corcoran High School until the tenth grade, and then graduated from Manlius Military Academy. He went on to earn his B.A in Education and Social Science from Hobart College, a MS in Criminal Justice from Columbia College, a MS Ed.D.(ABD) in Higher Education Human Resource Leadership from Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development from the University of Rochester, a MBA in Applied Economics and Marketing from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business from the University of Rochester, and a Juris Doctor from University at Buffalo School of Law.

Throughout his life, Rik served as a high school teacher and coach, a community outreach worker, and a program director with a community policing program. In addition, he served as a regional director with a statewide family services agency, a municipal community development director, grant writer, legal consultant, college professor, and a college sports coach. Prior to retiring, Rik worked at Bryant & Stratton College as the Geographic Dean of Instruction for the Syracuse, Liverpool and Watertown campuses. His love for education led him to his retirement jobs of Visiting Instructor of Economics at Cazenovia College and Adjunct Professor of Business at Morrisville State College.
Rik enjoyed spending time with his family watching movies, swimming, playing board games, and bicycling. He was happiest when vacationing with loved ones on the Florida Gulf Coast beaches. Always active, skilled with his hands, and a knack for home improvements, he could solve any problem put in front of him. Both a lover of all things Ralph Lauren and an advocate of a few rules to live by, he always told his daughters to remember this: 1. It's nice to be nice. 2. When in doubt, eat crab cakes. 3. Peanuts are fun. 4. Boys are scum. 5. Take care of your sisters. 6. Your father loves you.

Rik was the life of every party. He loved to listen and dance to Motown music and was famously known for "Gatoring" at weddings to the song "Shout". He is fondly held as the joy and light of his family's life. He will be greatly missed.

He is predeceased by his Father, Jack C. Fowler (2002), and his Mother, Nancy Austin Fowler-Stopyro (2008).

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Brockway Fowler, three daughters: Emma Fowler (Nick) and Leah Fowler, both of New York City, Marissa Fowler (Josh) and grandson, Ethan Fowler of Highlands Ranch, CO, two step-children: Kelly Prucker (Ryan) of Liverpool, NY and Matthew Prucker of Syracuse, NY, his "older" sister Carol DeLany (Jeff) of Fayetteville, NY, 2 nephews Jeffrey DeLany of Fayetteville, NY and Ryan DeLany (Kelsey) of Ithaca, NY, 1 niece, Kristen Thompson (Chad), 2 great nieces DeLani Thompson and Avery DeLany, 2 great nephews Carter and Noah Thompson and 2 cousins Mary Jane Bevard (Jon) of Liverpool, NY and Marcia Hanlon (Grant) of Marcellus, NY.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Rik's life on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM at New Comer Funeral Home in North Syracuse.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff of Upstate University Hospital Neurology and Oncology Services, and to all of the staff at Hospice of Central New York, especially to his nurses Kelly and Wanda, for their compassionate care of the entire family during the past few months.

Donations can be made in his memory to Hospice of Central New York.

To leave a special message for the family please visit www.NewcomerSyracuse.com