Richard Gordon Bowen (“Dick”) passed away on Monday Dec 13 after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. Dick was born in Portland, Oregon in 1926 and grew up in St. Helens where his parents owned a general store. At the age of 17 he joined the Merchant Marine and began a long and rich lifetime of adventure, particularly at sea and in the air. He loved mountains and the sky and had an insatiable curiosity for history and the natural world.
After spending the end of WW II on the SS DOTHAN VICTORY in the South Pacific, Dick returned to Oregon and enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in the Philippines and Alaska, where he enjoyed a stint with the US Navy Ski team. While on leave, Dick met and fell in love with Janis Brady. They corresponded for a year before his honorable discharge, after which he returned home to court her with long drives in his Jaguar and strolls through the Peninsula Park Rose Garden. How could a girl resist? They were married in 1955.In 1956 Dick earned his Masters in Geology from University of Oregon. He liked to say his decision to become a geologist was based on winning a pick-axe in a late-night poker game. Dick was always fascinated with earth sciences and loved the outdoors. Much of his career was spent working for the US Geologic Survey. As a part of his survey work, Dick, Janis, and their five children spent several summers camping throughout Oregon, giving them many wonderful memories of the remote and wild regions of the state. Later, Dick began a geothermal consulting business.
Dick earned his private pilots license in his early 20s and spent the next 50 years exploring the skies in his beloved airplanes and gliders. He loved airplane museums and air shows, and was known to try a few tricks in the air himself. He spent many years flying a glider with the Willamette Valley Soaring Club and was a favorite tow-plane operator. His favorite trips were soaring over central Oregon and around the Cascade Mountains.
A highlight of his long life was the eruption of Mt. St. Helens on May 18, 1980, which he could see from his home office window in the West Hills. That day he combined two of his favorite past times -- flying and geologic exploration--by flying close to the mountain during the eruption. He captured thrilling photos of the event that have been enjoyed by his family in the decades since and will be cherished forever.Always a scientist, Dick passed along his great curiosity to his five children. Memories of Dick will always be associated with some kind of adventure, experiment, or daring repair involving epoxy glue and duct tape. He is survived by his wife, Janis, daughter Patti Cunningham of Syracuse, NY, son Gordon of Portland, daughters Leslie McFarlane of Boise, ID, Elizabeth O'Connor and Tara Bowen-Biggs of Portland, and thirteen grandchildren scattered throughout the world -- all starting adventures of their own. A memorial service will be held 1:00 Saturday December 18 at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Red Cross and Cedar Mill Community Library are welcomed.
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