Dr. Bob was born and raised in Lodi, graduating from Lodi High and then U.C. Davis with a B.S. in Genetics before heading to medical school in Guadalajara. Dr. Bob spent his medical residency in Los Angeles and San Bernardino before returning to his beloved hometown to serve the people of Lodi.

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Dr. Bob grew up in a house full of musical instruments. He may have inherited his musical talents from his dad, Dr. Walter E. Howen, but opted for the guitar instead of the baritone, much to Walter's dismay.

 

Early influences were The Beatles, Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, John Denver, and others from the 70's. Young Bobby developed his vocal skills by joining in a high school a capella choir. One of the most interesting early bands he played in was Los Espada during medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico. He then played with The Sutures while in residency in San Bernardino. He has since played in many groups for over 30 years, including The Country Gentlemen at Temple Baptist Church. He has a credit on the album "Christmas State of Mind" by Jennifer Lind and has served a studio musician for multiple artists. He was recently honored to play at the annual Fauxcella Music Festival in Southern California.

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Dr. Bob lives in Lodi with his wife, nurse and activist Jamie Howen, and has three adult children and four grandchildren. He is a practicing OB/GYN physician and enjoys making music, editing video, woodworking, spending time with his grandchildren, and eating at taco trucks.

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