Bruce K. Bowden, 80, of Connersville, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, November 27, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born June 24, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, one of four children to Eldred R. and Mary A. (Everest) Bowden. At age eleven, he moved with his family to Connersville and he was a 1951 graduate of Connersville High School. In 1954, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Hanover College where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
While at Hanover, he met the love of his life, Barbara Pattison, of Indianapolis, and they married on August 16, 1953 in Indianapolis.
During the Korean War, he joined the US Army for his two years of service. First, he was stationed at Ft. Knox, then, at Ft. Meade, Maryland. He was most proud that he received a commendation from his 1st Lieutenant.
Following his honorable discharge, he and his bride moved to Detroit where he was employed by Ford Motors, American Motors and Studebaker; then, they moved to Indianapolis where he was employed and later co-purchased Ross-Ad Seal Company. In 1970, they moved to Connersville where he began his career at Stant Manufacturing, employed there for more than twenty-seven years, during which time he served as its General Manager. Additionally, he represented Stant in legal issues involving Stant’s patents on automotive parts, on one occasion testifying before a prominent federal judge in Chicago which enabled a decision to be rendered in Stant’s favor.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
As president of the Fayette County Foundation for eight years, he worked very hard to establish a business-like approach to its endeavors. For a number of years, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Union Savings and Loan and had also served as Chairman of the Board. A member and past president of the Connersville Rotary Club, he received recognition from the International Office for “Service above Self”and was also a member of the Rotarian International Paul Harris Society. In 1992, he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Connersville Chamber of Commerce.
He was very active locally with the United Fund Campaign and, while his children were in school, he was a participant with Junior Achievement. He also served on many automotive councils and committees, even testifying before the Congress in Washington, D.C. with regard to Fair Enterprise in the Automotive Market Place. Finally, he was a member of the Greater Connersville Progress Committee, had served on the IU East Advisory Board and was also an assistant Cub Scout Leader. A member of the Connersville Country Club, along with Gary Brewer, he planted more than four hundred walnut trees throughout the golf course.
He was additionally a member of the Whitewater Valley Railroad and recently was instrumental in raising funds and laboring for the restoration of six cabooses. Also, he was a member of the Lewis and Clark Foundation where he was an reenactor as Sgt. Ordway.
In his earlier years, he was avid runner and participated in and finished the Boston Marathon. With his wife, he built and enjoyed a garden railroad, which attracted many visitors to their home. In his leisure, he delighted in playing golf and bridge.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Barbara Bowden, two children, Cynthia E. Brewer and her husband Gary of Connersville and Bradley F. Bowden and his partner James Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, four grandchildren, Sandra Brewer Ipo of Rushville, Salee Brewer Ferguson and her husband Tony and Thomas Lee Brewer, both of Connersville, and Evan Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, seven great-grandchildren, a brother, Rev. Raymond Bowden of Indianapolis and a sister, Mary Lou Klein of North Carolina. He was also blessed with many nephews, nieces and cousins, not to mention a host of dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Richard, a brother-in-law, Philip Klein, and a sister-in-law, Lucy Bowden.
Funeral services with military rites conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council will be held at 11 AM Friday, November 30, 2012 in Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home and cremation will follow. Family and friends may call at the Funeral Home from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday.
He was born June 24, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, one of four children to Eldred R. and Mary A. (Everest) Bowden. At age eleven, he moved with his family to Connersville and he was a 1951 graduate of Connersville High School. In 1954, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Hanover College where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
While at Hanover, he met the love of his life, Barbara Pattison, of Indianapolis, and they married on August 16, 1953 in Indianapolis.
During the Korean War, he joined the US Army for his two years of service. First, he was stationed at Ft. Knox, then, at Ft. Meade, Maryland. He was most proud that he received a commendation from his 1st Lieutenant.
Following his honorable discharge, he and his bride moved to Detroit where he was employed by Ford Motors, American Motors and Studebaker; then, they moved to Indianapolis where he was employed and later co-purchased Ross-Ad Seal Company. In 1970, they moved to Connersville where he began his career at Stant Manufacturing, employed there for more than twenty-seven years, during which time he served as its General Manager. Additionally, he represented Stant in legal issues involving Stant’s patents on automotive parts, on one occasion testifying before a prominent federal judge in Chicago which enabled a decision to be rendered in Stant’s favor.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
As president of the Fayette County Foundation for eight years, he worked very hard to establish a business-like approach to its endeavors. For a number of years, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Union Savings and Loan and had also served as Chairman of the Board. A member and past president of the Connersville Rotary Club, he received recognition from the International Office for “Service above Self”and was also a member of the Rotarian International Paul Harris Society. In 1992, he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Connersville Chamber of Commerce.
He was very active locally with the United Fund Campaign and, while his children were in school, he was a participant with Junior Achievement. He also served on many automotive councils and committees, even testifying before the Congress in Washington, D.C. with regard to Fair Enterprise in the Automotive Market Place. Finally, he was a member of the Greater Connersville Progress Committee, had served on the IU East Advisory Board and was also an assistant Cub Scout Leader. A member of the Connersville Country Club, along with Gary Brewer, he planted more than four hundred walnut trees throughout the golf course.
He was additionally a member of the Whitewater Valley Railroad and recently was instrumental in raising funds and laboring for the restoration of six cabooses. Also, he was a member of the Lewis and Clark Foundation where he was an reenactor as Sgt. Ordway.
In his earlier years, he was avid runner and participated in and finished the Boston Marathon. With his wife, he built and enjoyed a garden railroad, which attracted many visitors to their home. In his leisure, he delighted in playing golf and bridge.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Barbara Bowden, two children, Cynthia E. Brewer and her husband Gary of Connersville and Bradley F. Bowden and his partner James Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, four grandchildren, Sandra Brewer Ipo of Rushville, Salee Brewer Ferguson and her husband Tony and Thomas Lee Brewer, both of Connersville, and Evan Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, seven great-grandchildren, a brother, Rev. Raymond Bowden of Indianapolis and a sister, Mary Lou Klein of North Carolina. He was also blessed with many nephews, nieces and cousins, not to mention a host of dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Richard, a brother-in-law, Philip Klein, and a sister-in-law, Lucy Bowden.
Funeral services with military rites conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council will be held at 11 AM Friday, November 30, 2012 in Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home and cremation will follow. Family and friends may call at the Funeral Home from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday.
Bruce K. Bowden, 80, of Connersville, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, November 27, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born June 24, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, one of four children to Eldred R. and Mary A. (Everest) Bowden. At age eleven, he moved with his family to Connersville and he was a 1951 graduate of Connersville High School. In 1954, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Hanover College where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
While at Hanover, he met the love of his life, Barbara Pattison, of Indianapolis, and they married on August 16, 1953 in Indianapolis.
During the Korean War, he joined the US Army for his two years of service. First, he was stationed at Ft. Knox, then, at Ft. Meade, Maryland. He was most proud that he received a commendation from his 1st Lieutenant.
Following his honorable discharge, he and his bride moved to Detroit where he was employed by Ford Motors, American Motors and Studebaker; then, they moved to Indianapolis where he was employed and later co-purchased Ross-Ad Seal Company. In 1970, they moved to Connersville where he began his career at Stant Manufacturing, employed there for more than twenty-seven years, during which time he served as its General Manager. Additionally, he represented Stant in legal issues involving Stant’s patents on automotive parts, on one occasion testifying before a prominent federal judge in Chicago which enabled a decision to be rendered in Stant’s favor.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
As president of the Fayette County Foundation for eight years, he worked very hard to establish a business-like approach to its endeavors. For a number of years, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Union Savings and Loan and had also served as Chairman of the Board. A member and past president of the Connersville Rotary Club, he received recognition from the International Office for “Service above Self”and was also a member of the Rotarian International Paul Harris Society. In 1992, he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Connersville Chamber of Commerce.
He was very active locally with the United Fund Campaign and, while his children were in school, he was a participant with Junior Achievement. He also served on many automotive councils and committees, even testifying before the Congress in Washington, D.C. with regard to Fair Enterprise in the Automotive Market Place. Finally, he was a member of the Greater Connersville Progress Committee, had served on the IU East Advisory Board and was also an assistant Cub Scout Leader. A member of the Connersville Country Club, along with Gary Brewer, he planted more than four hundred walnut trees throughout the golf course.
He was additionally a member of the Whitewater Valley Railroad and recently was instrumental in raising funds and laboring for the restoration of six cabooses. Also, he was a member of the Lewis and Clark Foundation where he was an reenactor as Sgt. Ordway.
In his earlier years, he was avid runner and participated in and finished the Boston Marathon. With his wife, he built and enjoyed a garden railroad, which attracted many visitors to their home. In his leisure, he delighted in playing golf and bridge.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Barbara Bowden, two children, Cynthia E. Brewer and her husband Gary of Connersville and Bradley F. Bowden and his partner James Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, four grandchildren, Sandra Brewer Ipo of Rushville, Salee Brewer Ferguson and her husband Tony and Thomas Lee Brewer, both of Connersville, and Evan Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, seven great-grandchildren, a brother, Rev. Raymond Bowden of Indianapolis and a sister, Mary Lou Klein of North Carolina. He was also blessed with many nephews, nieces and cousins, not to mention a host of dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Richard, a brother-in-law, Philip Klein, and a sister-in-law, Lucy Bowden.
Funeral services with military rites conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council will be held at 11 AM Friday, November 30, 2012 in Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home and cremation will follow. Family and friends may call at the Funeral Home from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday.
He was born June 24, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, one of four children to Eldred R. and Mary A. (Everest) Bowden. At age eleven, he moved with his family to Connersville and he was a 1951 graduate of Connersville High School. In 1954, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Hanover College where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
While at Hanover, he met the love of his life, Barbara Pattison, of Indianapolis, and they married on August 16, 1953 in Indianapolis.
During the Korean War, he joined the US Army for his two years of service. First, he was stationed at Ft. Knox, then, at Ft. Meade, Maryland. He was most proud that he received a commendation from his 1st Lieutenant.
Following his honorable discharge, he and his bride moved to Detroit where he was employed by Ford Motors, American Motors and Studebaker; then, they moved to Indianapolis where he was employed and later co-purchased Ross-Ad Seal Company. In 1970, they moved to Connersville where he began his career at Stant Manufacturing, employed there for more than twenty-seven years, during which time he served as its General Manager. Additionally, he represented Stant in legal issues involving Stant’s patents on automotive parts, on one occasion testifying before a prominent federal judge in Chicago which enabled a decision to be rendered in Stant’s favor.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
As president of the Fayette County Foundation for eight years, he worked very hard to establish a business-like approach to its endeavors. For a number of years, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Union Savings and Loan and had also served as Chairman of the Board. A member and past president of the Connersville Rotary Club, he received recognition from the International Office for “Service above Self”and was also a member of the Rotarian International Paul Harris Society. In 1992, he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Connersville Chamber of Commerce.
He was very active locally with the United Fund Campaign and, while his children were in school, he was a participant with Junior Achievement. He also served on many automotive councils and committees, even testifying before the Congress in Washington, D.C. with regard to Fair Enterprise in the Automotive Market Place. Finally, he was a member of the Greater Connersville Progress Committee, had served on the IU East Advisory Board and was also an assistant Cub Scout Leader. A member of the Connersville Country Club, along with Gary Brewer, he planted more than four hundred walnut trees throughout the golf course.
He was additionally a member of the Whitewater Valley Railroad and recently was instrumental in raising funds and laboring for the restoration of six cabooses. Also, he was a member of the Lewis and Clark Foundation where he was an reenactor as Sgt. Ordway.
In his earlier years, he was avid runner and participated in and finished the Boston Marathon. With his wife, he built and enjoyed a garden railroad, which attracted many visitors to their home. In his leisure, he delighted in playing golf and bridge.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Barbara Bowden, two children, Cynthia E. Brewer and her husband Gary of Connersville and Bradley F. Bowden and his partner James Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, four grandchildren, Sandra Brewer Ipo of Rushville, Salee Brewer Ferguson and her husband Tony and Thomas Lee Brewer, both of Connersville, and Evan Calabrese of Chicago, Illinois, seven great-grandchildren, a brother, Rev. Raymond Bowden of Indianapolis and a sister, Mary Lou Klein of North Carolina. He was also blessed with many nephews, nieces and cousins, not to mention a host of dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Richard, a brother-in-law, Philip Klein, and a sister-in-law, Lucy Bowden.
Funeral services with military rites conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council will be held at 11 AM Friday, November 30, 2012 in Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home and cremation will follow. Family and friends may call at the Funeral Home from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday.
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