Richard Bowen

Richard Miles Bowen, 81, passed away July 4, 2017. He was born September 1, 1935 in Waco, Texas to Mary Lee and Burt Richard Bowen. He was the great, great grandson of Jonathan Miles, an early pioneer of the San Angelo area.

Dick grew up in Corpus Christi and graduated from W. B. Ray High School in 1953. He was a member of the state record-setting 440 sprint relay team, won the 100-yard dash at the Texas Relays and was later inducted into the Ray High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended Rice University on a full athletic scholarship for track and football. He graduated from Rice in 1957 with a BA in History.

Dick earned an ROTC Commission while at Rice and upon graduation served 2 years active duty and 5 years reserves in the Army. He left the military with rank of Captain U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

After the military, Dick went to work for PPG Industries in Corpus Christi holding various positions. While in Corpus, he was active in numerous business and civic organizations including the Kiwanis Club, Texas Association of Business, Texas Chemical Council, Coastal Bend Council of Governments and was a founder of the Now Party which was then active in local politics.

He later worked as Personnel Director for PPG in Barberton, Ohio subsequently becoming PPG's Midwestern Government Affairs Manager which included Texas. After PPG, he became Human Resources Director for the Central Blood Bank of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania. He retired in 1993 to return to Texas and marry a childhood friend from Hewitt, Althea Dee Chapman.

In 1995, Dee and Dick bought the V-H Ranch house near Junction, Texas. Dick grew up vacationing in this scenic spot on the Llano River. In Junction, Dick was a member of the Rotary Club, supporter of the Junction Eagles and served on various committees at First United Methodist Church.

Dick loved the hill country, his porch view of Chalk Bluff, reading all types of literature, his pet deer Baby Girl, taking the grandchildren on lawn mower rides and cooking. He delighted in sharing his home with family and friends especially for the large family Thanksgiving gatherings. Dick took pleasure in teaching his grandchildren about the history of this area and local animals. He was a 50-year member of the Texas Archaeological Society and would share his large artifact collection with anyone who would lend an ear.

Dick is survived by his wife, Dee Chapman Bowen of Junction, son Gregory Miles Bowen of San Antonio and wife Carmen, Dr. Christopher Charles Crow and wife Brittany of Dallas, Delaine Crow Teeple and husband Bryan of Austin and grandchildren Rhodes Chapman Crow, Charles Whitaker Teeple, Hutchinson Harrod Crow, Greer Margo Crow and Adele Chapman Teeple. He is also survived by his brother-in-law John Barnes Chapman and wife Scherry and cousins Mary Kathryn Jasek and husband Ed and Charles Raleigh Porter, Jr. and wife Alice. He is preceded in death by grandson Bowen Daniel Teeple.

A celebration of Dick's life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Junction on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bowen Teeple Memorial Fund at Kimble County Library, 208 N. 10th Street, Junction, Texas 76849 or First United Methodist Church of Junction, 902 Main Street, Junction, Texas 76849.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kimble Funeral Home. (325) 446-3076

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