Kirby "Brad" Bradford Fowler

Kirby Bradford “Brad” Fowler, 78, of Roanoke, Virginia, child of God, passed away with his loving wife by his side, on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Born in New Jersey on November 14, 1946, to the late Kirby and Evelyn Porch Fowler, he is also predeceased by his brothers, Wayne Fowler and Glenn Fowler.

Brad served as an Economist with the Army Corps of Engineers in St. Louis, Missouri, and Washington, D.C., for 31 years before his retirement, rising to a crucial role in vetting and approval of water projects across the United States. He had a brilliant analytical mind and thrived in the highly technical environment of engineering analysis and feasibility studies. He was also intuitive and could sense the need around him, often before it was spoken aloud. Perhaps his greatest strength was his uncanny ability to remain calm and focused in the midst of difficulty, a character trait both fostered and admired in his high-stress work environment as well as in his personal life.

Brad was a gifted musician with a love for brass and favored playing the trombone. He was creative, artistic, funny, a lover of beauty, a humble and honorable man of high integrity and a generous spirit. He was well read and especially loved study of history, the intersection of faith and culture, and a good crime novel. He enjoyed the sunny and salty air of the beach and could watch the ocean breakers for hours, and traveled with his wife as often as possible to favorite beaches in North Carolina and Florida.

Brad was a kind and caring man with a devotion to his Savior and a deeply compassionate heart. He gave liberally to numerous charities and supported and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. Many loved him for his quiet, practical wisdom, his kindness and his strength. He was a rock and a haven for his wife, Amy, whom he loved with all his heart, and always made sure her needs were met with the tenderest of care.

Surviving are his devoted wife of 28 years, Amy Zink Fowler; sisters-in-law, Kelly Castle and Judi Zink; brother-in-law, Tom Zink and his wife, Beth Hewson; as well as nephews, Ben Castle, Jesse Zink and Jody Zink.

The family will welcome friends for a time of gratefulness and remembrance on Monday, April 14, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, 4909 North Lake Drive, Roanoke. Funeral services will be at the church on Tuesday, April 15, at 1:30 pm, followed by burial at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff of Good Samaritan Hospice for the compassionate care, wisdom, and loving kindness extended to their family during this most difficult time.

Donations to honor Brad may be made to the Local Office on Aging by visiting https://loaa.org, or the Catholic Near East Welfare Association at https://cnewa.org.

Online condolences may be expressed to the Fowler family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.