Obituary: Col. Richard A. Bowen, U.S. Air Force (Retired)

Submitted by Anne R. Bowen

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Richard A. Bowen, 79, passed on to the care of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, peacefully and surrounded by his wife and children on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013.

Col. Bowen had a distinguished Air Force career and received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star with Valor, RVN Cross of Gallantry, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal (with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters), as well as other military unit citations and civil service awards.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, his civil service positions included the Atomic Energy Commission in areas related to nuclear nonproliferation and arms control negotiations, State Department Scientific and Technical Attaché to the International Atomic Energy Agency (Vienna, Austria) and the Department of Energy.

In addition to his military and civil service, he was an active member of the Episcopal Church, most recently as a member of the Church of Messiah, Fredericksburg, and previously at St. John’s in McLean, the NARFE, and the American Legion. He also spent many years as a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout troops in Brussels, Belgium, and McLean, Va.

In retirement, Dick cherished his time spent with family and friends. His passions included golf, hunting, fishing and exploring North America in the RV. Generous to a fault, he supported family and friends with time and treasure.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Frances Sharon Bowen; children Matthew Bowen (Anne), Lindi Copeland (Mike) and Patricia Garvis (Steve); 13 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Church of the Messiah, 12201 Spotswood Furnace Lane, Fredericksburg.

Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in his name to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Virginia Chapter, 5540 Falmouth St., #101, Richmond, VA 23230, to the WorldVentures Foundation for Doug Custer, 5360 Legacy Drive, Bldg 1 Ste. 300, Plano, TX 75024, or to the Wycliffe Bible Translators for Dorcas Day, Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862.