A former press photographer who spent more than 40 years with the Western Daily Press has died aged 73.

Bob Lowrey, pictured left on Northcliffe House in Bristol where he grew up, also worked for the Bristol Evening Post and the now-defunct Bristol Evening World in a career spanning five decades.

He was best known for his work for the Western Daily Press, which he joined in September 1958, having just finished his National Service with the army.

He spent 41 years in the Evening Post and Daily Press office in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, before eventually retiring in December 1999, although he continued to do jobs for Wiltshire papers on a freelance basis.

Former WDP colleague Roger Williams said: “I worked with Bob for three years from 1963 to 1966 when I was one of two reporters at the Post and Press Trowbridge office.

“In those days, we ‘country’ staff worked for both papers almost round the clock – which prepared me for 26 years in Fleet Street at PA a few years later!

“Bob spent more than 40 years in the Trowbridge office of the Post and Press, and in that time countless reporters worked alongside him there before leaving to further their careers in Fleet Street and all over.

“I don’t think any of them can fail to have fond memories of Bob, and many have (like me) kept in touch with him. Of course he was known to nearly as many photographers, often rivals at the time. He was well loved by all.”

Mr Lowrey, who lived in Trowbridge, had been suffering from bowel cancer and died at Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Jilly, and two children, Sue and Peter.

His funeral is due to take place at 1.45pm on Wednesday 22 July at West Wiltshire Crematorium followed by a reception at the Farmhouse pub in nearby village of Southwick.

You can leave your personal tributes to Bob at his Lasting Tribute
page.