GREENFIELD
Dr. Richard “Dick” Eli Bowen, age 91, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Springhurst Health Campus in Greenfield, Indiana. He was born in Oskaloosa, Kansas, on September 27, 1932, to George Eli and Sara Emily (McCaslin) Bowen. He graduated from Washington County High School in 1950 and furthered his education at Kansas University, graduating with a BS in Bacteriology in 1954. Dick proceeded to obtain an MS and DVM at Kansas State University in 1961. He later received his PhD at the University of Massachusetts in Virology in 1965. Dick proudly served in the United States Army with honor. He married the love of his life and his best friend, Joan “Joannie” (Krueger) Bowen, on January 31, 1954, in Washington, Kansas.
Dick worked at Eli Lilly &Company as Manager of Animal Science Regulatory Affairs for 28.5 years until his retirement. He was a member of several clubs and diligently served his community. He was a devoted Cross of Grace Lutheran Church of New Palestine, Indiana member. He was the Greenfield, Indiana, Sertoma charter Vice President in 1965, then President in 1966, and District Governor from 1976-77. Dick volunteered as the Executive Director of Edelweiss Equine Assisted Therapy Center for nine years. He was a founding member of St. James Lutheran Church of Greenfield, Indiana. He was the Hancock County 4-H Veterinary Science Club leader for 17 years. Dick won the Jefferson Award for Public Service from WRTV Channel 6, honoring his many hours of community service. Dick was also artistic. He enjoyed working with stained glass and painting with watercolors in his free time. He dabbled in woodworking. Dick was an avid sports fan and enjoyed keeping track of Kansas University athletics. In his later years, New Palestine High School honored him with the Fan Appreciation Award for supporting high school athletics.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joannie Bowen; daughters, Kelly (Jay) Wickliff of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Elisa Bell of Greenfield, Indiana; grandchildren, Megan Bell of Greenfield, Indiana, Jonathan (Renee) Wickliff of Plymouth, Michigan, and Brittany (Rodney) LaCour of Corsicana, Texas; and four great-grandchildren. His parents and sisters, Janet Jones and Joan Abercrombie, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, 3519 S. 600 W., New Palestine, IN 46163. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour before the service. Pastor Mark Havel will officiate. Inurnment will follow at the Columbarium at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church. Friends and family are invited to stay for lunch after the service.
Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, through the website at https://www.crossofgrace.org/give or to the Parkinson’s Foundation at Attn: Donor Services, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126, by website at https://www.parkinson.org/. Friends may share a memory or condolences at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary &Crematory in Greenfield.
