An untimely death brings communities and people together. Such was the case last week when the Poach Band of Creek Indians was joined by surrounding communities in mourning the loss of Robert Thrower.
Thrower, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, was well known in this area and throughout Indian Country. As people spoke of his death, one comment was repeated countless times, “We lost a wealth of knowledge.” Thrower knew more perhaps than any other person about Creek language, history, and culture.
Thrower, 55, died in a single-vehicle crash July 4, when the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer he was driving ran off the road, struck an embankment and overturned. Thrower, who was not using a seatbelt, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on U.S. 29 at the 22.80 mile marker in the Dixie Community.
The following statement was issued by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians:
“Robert Thrower had a deep and abiding love for his Tribe and a true commitment to preserving Poarch Creek history and culture. He began working officially for the Poarch Creek Indians on July 9, 1991. He followed in the footsteps of his mother, Gail Thrower, Poarch Creek’s first Tribal historian, and was respected throughout Indian Country for his historic knowledge of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Not only was he proud to represent the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, but he considered it an honor to serve on the United South and Eastern Tribes Culture and Heritage Committee. He served on the committee 2004-2008 and as Chairman of the USE Committee 2008-2017.”
Tribal Chair Stephanie Bryan issued the following statement: “Robert Thrower served a vital role at Poarch as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, and he will be sorely missed. Our love and prayers go out to this family and all who knew and cared for this accomplished member of our Tribe who gave so much to our Poarch community, the State and Indian Country.”
Robert Thrower’s obituary is on page 3A of the July 12 edition of Atmore News.