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Dennis Bowen Obituary

Bowen, Dennis September 9, 1950 - March 9, 2012 Dennis Keith Bowen, Toluca Lake resident, passed away on March 9. Dennis was born in Gainesville, Florida on September 9, 1950. A very successful character actor, Dennis was featured in over 100 television shows. He appeared in many films and Movies of the Week, daytime dramas, Industrial films and infomercials. He acted in nearly 1000 national commercials. Dennis gave much of his time to fundraising for many causes. He is the recipient of the California State Fireman's Association "Medal of Valor" and was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Dennis was an avid golfer, fisherman, surfer, sailor, and traveler. He is survived by his longtime partner, Judy Holliday, daughter, Bethany Victoria (Tory) Flynn, (mother: Laurel), son-in-law, Kyle, granddaughter, Sophia, mother, Alma Sidorowicz (Henry), brothers, Ernest(Sharon), and Michael (Susan) Bowen, Monica Garfield whom he treated as a daughter, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Mar. 14, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Bowen

19 Entries

Prentice

October 27, 2022

Dennis was a buddy and fellow model. I remember when he played Archie and we all said - " perfect casting !" For some reason I was thinking about him and thought I would let his family know that he has not forgotten. He was a good guy and he passed away way too young! RIP Pal!

Jacque Ritchie

March 8, 2022

I knew Dennis during the Welcome Back Kotter days. We surfed, laughed, played frisbee, skateboarded, laughed, played darts, laughed some more. I sure did enjoy sailing on the Kestrel. I was younger than he was we would hang out every summer for like 3 years... Dennis was always very kind and respectful.
Please accept my sincerest condolences, I am sure Dennis was a wonderful Dad.

Jacqueline Ritchie

June 3, 2021

I remember when Dennis and I went sailing on the Kestrel. It was a lovely teak wood yaught...he was always a gentleman and such fun. He gave me lots of fun, love and advise.

[email protected]

June 2, 2021

Recently the 'welcome back kotter' song has been featured in an
Applebee's ad. It still makes me think of Dennis. We were friends at that time. We had a lot of fun. Skateboarding and playing frisbee and darts.
Love to his daughters and lovely wife,
Jacque Carr

September 9, 2014

Remembering you today!
Missing you everyday!
J

Rosie Simms

October 24, 2013

I was shocked to see this. I met Dennis when he was 22 and I was 27. He was sweet and charming and so fun, positive and enthusiastic. I met his family one time and I don't remember details, but I remember a warm, loving close family. I haven't seen Dennis in four decades but my memories are wonderful and I'm so sorry to his family and loved ones to have lost such a bright light.

Michael Sullivan

September 22, 2013

I forgot to mention our adventure to Bakersfield, Ca for the Medal of Valor Award he received for pulling several people from a burning train. He was all excited and asked me to go so we took a 35 foot motorhome to the event and like Dennis he invited an elderly couple he had rescued to join us. So five us headed to Bakersfield. After the ceremony the elderly couple flew back to LA and Dennis and Laurel and I took off to the mountains in our motorhome. We pulled into Sequoia National Park and set up what little camp we needed, We had everything you could possibly need from microwave to generator. On our first morning we looked out the window to see and father and son camping in a tent next to us trying to get the camp fire started with little luck, we on the other had cranked up the generator and made coffee while watching the freezing guys next to us. It was Dennis who ran out and brought the son and dad into the coach for coffee and breakfast. We came to the conclusion that 35 foot motohomes don't belong in campsites and sheepishly drove off.
Dennis alway had an eye out for others-its no wonder he raced back into the fire to save those people. A real hero.

Rest in Peace my sweet friend I will always miss you and love you for the rest of my life.

Michael Sullivan

September 22, 2013

I had the pleasure of meeting Dennis way back when god was still a small boy. Michael-his brother-had been hitch hiking through San Diego when my room mate Sharon brought him home for a hot meal and a bath. Michael soon brought Dennis into our lives and things were never the same. The game was on. There was never a game, a sport or activities that he was involved in that he didn't show so much enthusiasm for that you couldn't just stand by and watch. On his first visit to Balboa Park we ran though the archery range and swung on ropes hung from huge eucalyptus trees while arrows whizzed by our feet. We surfer Swami's in Cardiff by the Sea and back then we had to climb down the cliff with out boards and Dennis was a goat leaving us all behind and in the water and up on a wave first.

When he left us for Hollywood we had no doubt he would make it and sure enough then came "Archie." Laurel seemed to have a slight calming effect on him. The sparkle in his eyes when he looked at her and the joy I saw in him watching Troy jump up and down on the beds at the La Jolla Shore resort will always be one of my favorites,
We lost touch about 1983 but the stories I have could fill the web but we all know what its like to have known him and been close to him. I still have his wedding portrait in my Photography portfolio-how can you beat that smile. I've missed Dennis for over 30 years and to just now find he's gone is a real shock. There was so much life in that red head its hard to image a world without him. Laurel if you read this contact me at [email protected] I'd love to see you and reminisce. Aloha nui loa my friend,

Allison Bernardi

April 6, 2012

I met Tory when I was 5 years old, so Dennis came to know me as Tory and I became close and had play dates and slumber parties. Dennis and Laurel would take Tory and I to the Philharmonic on Sundays from time to time. I remember one time I was fidgeting during a performance and Dennis calmly told me to be patient and listen to the music, haha! I respected him like I would my own father, and because I was in his home with Tory so much I grew to know him as another father figure. One year he dressed up like Santa and came to my family's home for a Christmas party. I really thought he was Santa. He naturally had every characteristic of jolly, old Saint Nicholas.

Dennis would make everything exciting, as many have mentioned in their messages. When Tory would have friends over, Dennis would tell us stories, take us for boat rides in the pool as our captain and always kept an eye out to make sure we were safe and happy. One winter, Dennis took Tory and I to Big Bear. I rode with him to Palm Springs to pick up Tory (where she lived at the time) then we headed to Big Bear and spent the weekend on the slopes having a blast! Dennis always made me laugh. He had such a great spirit, energy and love for life.

I will miss him with all of you.

Jimmy

April 3, 2012

Anyone who knew Dennis realizes what a tremendous loss we have suffered. He loved and laughed more than anything. God bless you my patriotic great friend. You will be with me in spirit always.

Susan Harris

March 30, 2012

I knew Dennis in Atlanta, Ga when he was no more than 18 years old. He was a beautiful force of nature, incredibly kind and impossible to forget. Rest in peace.

judy holliday

March 23, 2012

Dennis had a special place in his heart for his "adopted" daughter, Monica.
Through the years he spent many happy hours with her, going on family outings and having engaging talks with her. He encouraged and nurtured her.
His face would light up when she entered the room. He respected her and sought out her advice. She was at his bedside at the hospital, soothing him in his pain. How happy I was to see this close relationship between my daughter and my partner in life.

judy holliday

March 23, 2012

Dennis was a very brave man!
When first diagnosed with liver cancer in Sept. he took it in stride and decided on aggressive treatment which he started right away. He stayed in bed all the time, recovering from each bout of treatment only to have another one. His golf clubs were always in sight and he knew he would "beat the cancer" and play his favorite game again some day. His beautiful daughter came in December to visit with her wonderful husband Kyle and their new baby daughter Sophie whom he adored and bounced on his knees. He was so proud of her and she brought him so much joy! Christmas was his last meal at the table. He was surrounded by my family who over the years became his own. As the treatment progressed he grew weaker but we never lost faith, we knew he would get well and the doctors were encouraging. His dear friend Jimmy came to visit him as did my Dad, Leo (97),they laughed and joked. He had many long phone calls with friends and golf buddies. Our dear friends brought over dinners and cakes. He watched all the movies that came out and Judge Judy every day. His brothers Ernest and Michael called often and brought him much comfort. He spoke to his Mom as much as possible, he loved her so much! He didn't want to go anywhere, he said he was happy in his home in his "red bed". He didn't complain about the pain which was excruciating. He thanked me every time I brought him something. We laughed,cried,got angry at the cancer, these were our last times together after 13 years.
On March 9th he slipped away just after midnight.
A wonderful father!
A magnificent loving partner!
And
A very brave man!

March 22, 2012

The light will never go out!
Love always and forever,
True love,
J

Laurel Page

March 20, 2012

It hurts to lose Dennis... His comedic antics and zest for life are what most remember fondly. To be sure, there was an enthusiasm there that just isn't what one would call 'the norm.'
Beyond all the "fun" however, there was a very caring, praying father, who taught our daughter life lessons he affectionately and lovingly called "LL's." I am very appreciative to God above for Dennis' life. It continues on in Tory and now a grand-daughter, Sophie. Imagine that!
Dennis taught many how to have more FUN...even when it crazy! He is absolutely totally and forever....unforgettable. God Bless Your Soul, dear Dennisio Muy Bueno. I married you for love, and even though the marriage was not 'forever'.....the love is. Laurel Page (Bowen)

March 15, 2012

Tory,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. We will remember his smiling face and of course mourn the loss of one of the rapping Santas. Thinking of you-
Suzan and Mark Stambaugh

Laurent Jean

March 14, 2012

To the Family of my friend Dennis,

I got to know Dennis playing golf at DeBell. He and I teamed up for many events, and always had a good time. We were fortunate enough to win a qualifying tournament two years ago which allowed us to try our hand at the sectional tournament in Palm Springs. While we didn't win, we had a great time none the less.
We became good friends and golf buddies and spent many hours playing and practicing together. While we didn't see eye to eye politically, I still consider him a good friend.
I was forced to re-locate back to my home state in May of last year. We would chat on the phone from time to time since then. When he told me of his illness, I was confident he would recover, and we would once again get to hit the links. Alas, that was not to be. I wish I could've been there for him, but my thoughts were always with him. I am thankful that he was spared any long term suffering. I know he loved you all deeply. I am going to miss my friend, and golf partner, dearly.

With deepest sympathies,

LJ

Bill Specht

March 14, 2012

Tory,
Your father was a close friend of mine during his darting years in the 70's. As I was reading your letter, it occurred to me that he was just the way you described even back then before he actually had a family of his own.....when I knew him he was a bit of a mischievous prankster. One time at a dart tourney in San Bernardino in early 70's, as the tournament ended on Sat nite, he grabbed a large potted tree from the lobby of the dart venue and took it to the hotel that several of us were staying at. Somehow he convinced the maid to let him in my wife and I's room where he carefully put the tree in our bed and covered it like someone was sleeping.......then snuck off (snickering I'm sure)...A couple of years ago we had a reunion for the darters who were around during the 70's-80's etc, and I was helping to locate the ones who no one had seen for years....I tracked him down from whitepages.com and he and I had been emailing ever since...I tried to get him to come to that reunion but I think he was busy at the time. A few months later he asked about us golfing again and unfortunately, I had just had a knee replacement 3-4 months earlier and told him we could go in a few more months when everything was healed.......I was just thinking about calling when I found out about his passing.......sigh.

Dennis was a great guy and even tho we hadn't seen each other in 30 years, I will miss him........

Tory Flynn

March 14, 2012

Very few people get to say that their dad was always there for them, that their father never hurt them, and that they were loved unconditionally. For being able to say all of those things, I know how blessed I am.
My dad will be remembered, by many, for his childlike spirit. He made everyone feel welcome, he made every moment big, and he brought out the fun in every aspect of life.
He loved God and loved America. He never hid his emotions, but wore his heart on his sleeve. He took care of everyone around him and doted on the ones that he loved.
He lived life to its fullest extent. He won the Award of Valor for rescuing people from a train fire. He starred on a Japanese Reality Show. He won multiple golf outings. He zip-lined through the rain forest. He skied black diamonds. He raced Tartan Ten class sailboats. He surfed the highest waves. He won multiple fish outings. He hosted charity events. He showed dogs. He was a dart champion. He won many hearts… and now he is doing all the things he loved with the Master and Creator of all.
I am grateful to God for giving me moments with my father that I will always cherish and for making Dennis Bowen my dad and my hero.
You are missed, Daddy. You now have the best golf courses, the best waves, the best fishing spots and the best crab shacks. I look forward to seeing you again one day. Until that day – you are celebrated.

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