Dick J. Bowen

Dick J. Bowen, 80, died May 15, 2012.

He was born Dec. 25, 1931, in Glendale Ariz., to Oscar and Hazel (Johnson) Bowen. A memorial service is at 11 a.m., May 26 at Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave., Wasilla. Interment will be at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

His family said, “Dad lived his life, not only by word, but by example. His love of the Lord he served was clearly evidenced by both those who knew him well and those who he had recently met. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, longtime friend or passing stranger. He took seriously the Bible’s admonishment to show hospitality to strangers, and his loving heart allowed his family to meet many interesting people.”

Along with the individuals that he helped, dad freely gave of his time and talents to many non-profit organizations and missionaries. He also served as a missionary pastor in Seldovia, was on the board of Solid Rock Bible Camp for many years, and served for more than 30 years on the boards of churches that he attended while living in Michigan and Alaska. Most recently he was a door greeter with his wife at Wasilla Bible Church and made those who came through his portal feel welcome and made the little children smile.

Dad loved his family. Mom, his adored wife of 58 years, was truly his helpmate and life partner in all things. Dad never failed to give her praise and often noted that the things he was able to do in his life were because he had the support of a wife who loved him. They experienced joy and happiness, sadness and tears, but good or bad, they always experienced it together.

His children were loved and enjoyed. He was proud of each of them and their accomplishments, and he never failed to tell them so. His grandkids were his pride and joy. He enjoyed their activities and was always there to cheer whether it was at a sporting event, a concert, a play, or sitting around a campfire with them. The love he gave was reciprocated and his grandkids thought their grandpa had the funniest sense of humor of anyone they knew.

Dad loved his country, and proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. His time there allowed him to see much of the world and no doubt led to his love of travel. He grew up in Michigan, but fell in love with Alaska, and so he took his family on many trips between Michigan and Alaska, meandering through the United States enjoying God’s creation of which he was in awe. Nothing was too small to notice from the smallest rocks and tiniest birds to the lumbering moose and scampering sheep that wandered the woods and mountains of his beloved Alaska.

Although officially retired, dad never lacked for things to do. He enjoyed painting, drawing, carving, fishing, traveling, bird-watching, landscaping and looking for interesting rocks. He always enjoyed a good card game and was lots of fun to play with.

Our much-loved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend will be deeply missed. He leaves us with fond memories of many wonderful times spent together. Most of all, he leaves us with a spiritual heritage that has been passed on to his future generations and will continue to be. Although the hole he leaves is huge, we know that he is in heaven and that one day we have the hope of seeing him again.

Surviving are his wife, Virginia; daughters, Kim (Jerry) Bloomstrom and Eloise Bowen; son, Michael (Marsha) Bowen; grandchildren, Jeremy (Kristi) Bloomstrom, Jaleen (Jim) Ellis, Amalee Bowen, Kenzie Bowen, Joseph Bowen, Sami Bowen; brother, Robert Bowen and many loving nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Preceding him in death was his son, Rick Bowen; parents, Hazel and Glenn Berry and Oscar Bowen; brother, Walter Neff; and sister, Sarah McQuiston.

Our Dad lived well.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Solid Rock Bible Camp or the Anchorage Rescue Mission.

Arrangements were by to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory Wasilla.