Obituary of Richard C. "Dick" Bowman, Jr.
Webster: Thursday, September 28, 2023. Dick was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Ruth “Evelyn”, in 2022. Predeceased by his parents, Richard Sr. and Irma Bowman. He is survived by his children, Douglas (Mary) Bowman, Timothy (Judy Engh) Bowman and Constance (Thomas) Palone; grandchildren, Rachael (William) Main and Richard (Jessica) Bowman; great-grandchildren, Zoey and Camryn Main, Hunter and Riley Bowman.
Richard C. “Dick” Bowman Jr., Dad, was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Dick’s father was a salesman and the family lived in several cities and states during Dick’s childhood, including Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Ohio. Dick’s parents eventually settled in Cape Cod, Mass., which became a family vacation and visiting spot for several years. Dick spent many summers at his grandparents’ farmhouse in Tuftonboro, NH; he often said that was one of his favorite childhood memories.
Dad attended several grade and secondary schools due to his family’s frequent moves, and graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford, Connecticut. He then went on to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where he majored in Management Engineering.
Dick excelled academically in all his schools, and was considered bright, social, with a great sense of humor. That sense of humor also got him written up or kicked out of music classes! He was voted “Most Pleasing Personality” in Hall High School and was part of the Student Council and Honor Society. At RPI, he was active in the Chi Phi fraternity, and was inducted into two other honorary fraternities.
Dick was part of the ROTC program at RPI, and after graduation, he spent four years of service in the US Army as a Lieutenant, where he was stationed at Fort Eustis, VA, and included a tour in France and Germany. Dick worked for Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester, NY for 32 years as an industrial engineer, retiring in 1986.
Dick met his wife, Ruth Evelyn Pearce, while working at the Lakeview Inn in Wolfeboro NH, and they were married in 1954 following Dick’s graduation from college. They lived in Williamsburg VA, then Rochester NY, and finally Webster NY.
In Webster, Evelyn and Dick lived on La Baron Circle, where they raised their three children. We will always remember the pool parties, picnics, and 4th of July “parades” Dick helped plan and actively participate in, with the La Baron neighbors. Dad was also the main guy when it came to Estes rocket launching and setting off fireworks on the ‘Circle’. After 50 years there, they relocated to Baywinde Senior Living Community in Webster, NY. Dick also enjoyed spending time and making friends at their “On-Top-of-the World” condo in Clearwater. Florida.
He participated in volunteer work along with his wife Evelyn, including the Box Project (a family in Mississippi they helped support for 30 years), the Webster Baptist Church, the food pantries in Webster, NY, and as a hospital greeter in Florida.
Dick was active in various clubs and hobbies, most notably the family hobby of collecting old glass insulators, and the Genesee Valley Bottle Collectors Association (GVBCA) where he held leadership roles for several years. During his times as Show Chair, he hosted several annual conventions in Rochester NY. He would toil in his basement, taking orders for insulators or chatting with fellow and prospective insulator collectors. He trekked with his loaded station wagon, and later his minivan, to other shows across the country. He was a lifetime member of the NIA (National Insulator Association) for 50 years. Dick’s high reputation among his fellow insulator collectors was well-known, and he served as a mentor to countless people as they expressed interest in the insulator hobby. His nickname in the hobby was “Marshall Dick”.
He supported his wife Evelyn, in her hobby of collecting early-era Christmas ornaments and decorations, driving both to “Golden Glow of Christmas Past” conventions annually throughout the country for over 30 years.
Dad was active in various bowling leagues for many years and participated in tournaments with his kids. He was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed occasional weekend fishing trips to friends’ cottages, as well as during vacations in Cape Cod and Canada with family. He played bridge and hand-and-foot well into his eighties. Golf was one of his favorite pastimes, and he relished the trip he took in the 80’s with friends to the U.K. to play in some of the world’s most well-known courses; he also had the opportunity to work at the Ryder Cup in Rochester in 1995.
Dad was a role model for his honesty and integrity and would push for the ‘right’ thing to do. He was known for his hospitality, frequently putting up friends from out of town, and welcoming new ones. Dad’s greatest pride was providing for his family and taking care of the family’s home in Webster NY, where he was continuously mowing, raking, snow blowing, painting, lawn watering, re-webbing lawn chairs, window-washing, gutter-cleaning, and general puttering. He built a wooden fence, a back porch, and finally relented and set up a pool and deck. He could be frequently seen religiously washing and waxing his cars.
He taught his children the value of money and business sense, how to drive, take care of cars, how to fish, and participated in Indian Guides and Adventure Guides with his sons. Dad had a soft spot for all animals (especially bunnies!), and the animals and our pets always seemed to gravitate to him, too. He always kept a treat in his pocket, just in case he met a good dog along the way. He enjoyed feeding the wild birds and setting up challenges for the squirrels and chipmunks in his yard. He was a proud veteran and patriot who loved his country.
Dad cherished his two grandchildren, and then celebrated as they had their own children – including twin girls and two boys, making him a proud great-grandfather and “Grampa,” as he liked to be called.
We will always remember Dad as a kind, smart, fun-loving gentleman, and an outstanding father.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the dedicated staff at The Maplewood for their kindness and extraordinary care for our Dad.
A Celebration of Life for Dick’s friends and family will be held privately in Spring 2024. Please contact a family member for more information.
Dick’s family appreciates you sharing a memory of him on his Tribute Wall on this website.
Donations in Dick’s memory may be made to the Webster Baptist Church, or a charity of your choice. To donate to the Webster Baptist Church, use this link: https://www.wbcus.org/donations.html; please note "In memory of Dick Bowman" for the “Add Special Instructions”.
Alternatively, a donation in Dick’s memory may be sent to: Webster Baptist Church (Attn.: Financial Secretary), 59 South Ave., Webster, NY 14580.