Nathan Howard Gowing Jr.

Nathan Howard Gowing Jr.

Nathan Howard Gowing Jr., a long-time resident of Waynesboro, died Tuesday, evening, December 1, 2009, at "Brightview at Baldwin Park" in Staunton, Virginia, at the age of 93.

He was born on September 27, 1916, in Syracuse, New York, the son of the late Nathan Howard Gowing Sr. and Deirdre Mace Gowing.

Howard grew up in Portsmouth, then Norfolk, Virginia. He attended the Norfolk Academy for one year before he transferred to Maury High School, graduating in 1933.

After one year at the Norfolk Division of William and Mary (now Old Dominion University), he transferred to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He served for one year as president of his Chi Phi fraternity before graduating in 1938 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering.

Following graduation, he worked for two years at his father's veneer mill in Portsmouth, Virginia. Then he worked for DuPont as an industrial engineer in Richmond, Virginia, Bridgeport, Connecticut, Wilmington, Delaware, North Augusta, South Carolina, and Waynesboro, Virginia. His favorite memories from his 37 years with DuPont were of mentoring young engineers at the beginning of their careers. He retired in 1977.

Admired for his compassion and good humor, Howard was a gentleman of great integrity with a heart for service. During the 1950s, he served as state president of the Exchange Clubs of South Carolina and chairman of the administrative board of St. John Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia.

Howard enjoyed outdoor activities all his life, especially sailing, canoeing, hiking, and camping. After he moved to Waynesboro in 1964, he volunteered with the Explorer Scouts, accompanying them on hiking and camping trips.

As a member of Main Street United Methodist Church, he chaired the administrative board and finance committee, taught a junior high Sunday school class, served as one of the initial class of Stephen Ministers, and volunteered to work on the church newsletter.

As an active member of the Kiwanis Club, Howard was treasurer and financial advisor for the Kiwanis Foundation.

He volunteered for the Augusta Regional Free Medical Clinic, the Waynesboro Christian Housing Association, and Meals on Wheels. He also volunteered at the Tourist Information Center at Rockfish Gap.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Catherine Moore Gowing; his second wife, Mary Clark Gowing; his brother, Mace Gowing; and his sister, Frances Chamberlain.

Howard is survived by Audrey Hawkins Gowing, his wife of 22 years; his daughters from his first marriage, Anne Lindabury and her husband, Tryon, of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Betty Boyd and her husband, Mike, of Cary, North Carolina; and two grandsons, Thomas H. Boyd and David G. Boyd, both of Cary, North Carolina.

A memorial service will be conducted 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, at Main Street United Methodist Church, 601 West Main Street, Waynesboro, with the Reverend Neil Hough and the Reverend Janet Knott officiating. There will be a private graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Howard's name may be made to the Main Street United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 601 West Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980 or to Child Fund International (formerly Christian Children's Fund), 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294-3725.

Those desiring may share their memories with the family online at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McDow Funeral Home of Waynesboro.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.