David Paul Bowser

David Paul Bowser, 68, of Orange Park, FL, born on January 25, 1955, in Lansing, MI, to Paul Gordon and Ruth Alberta Bowser (nee Moore), passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon, IL. Growing up, he had numerous homes as his father was career US Navy.
David also joined the US Navy in 1977. After completing boot camp in Orlando, FL, he traveled to Navy Hospital (NH) Great Lakes, Illinois, and graduated from hospital corps ("A") school. His first duty station was at NH, Jax, FL where he worked in the newborn nursery. Then on to NH San Diego, CA where he completed "C" Ocular Technician school. He was then stationed at Sewells Point Clinic, Norfolk, VA where he met his wife of 43 years, Pattie Phillips. They were married on November 8, 1980, and later transferred to the Navy hospital in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
David was a doting father to their daughter, Chelsea Leigh, born April 4, 1983. The family transferred to Medical Clinic, Quantico, VA until he tired of "eyes" and transferred to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO. There he trained as a basic biomedical repair technician. He would later return to Fitzsimmons to complete his advanced biomedical repair technician certification. He rejoined his family in Jacksonville North Carolina, working at NH Camp Lejeune as an advanced technician. His final duty station was National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, where he was called to deploy on the USNS Comfort supporting a humanitarian relief effort for several months. He was very proud to provide med repair support to Air Force One, the presidential suite and Camp David. David retired after 20 years of honorable service. He became an avid woodworker while working there. However, due to an accident, he could no longer work as a medical repairman. Through the VA, David trained as a CAD operator/designer and worked for Powell & Hinkle Engineering Firm.
David considered his biggest achievement to be encouraging his daughter to become a nurse BSN. She went on to marry Lt. Col. Robert Stanfield, and they were blessed with 2 beautiful sons, Samuel and Theo. David truly was happiest when he was with his grandsons. Dave was a lifelong learner. He became an excellent cook, grill master, woodworker, golfer, teacher, gardener and loved to travel with his wife both abroad and to their second home in North Carolina.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Gordon and Ruth Alberta Bowser (nee Moore); and one brother, Douglas Bowser.
David is survived by his beloved wife, Pattie Bowser (nee Phillips) of Orange Park, FL; their daughter, Chelsea (Robert) Stanfield; four siblings, Jeffrey (Ellen) Bowser of Gainesville, FL, Ross (Debbra Bonvalet) Bowser of St. Augustine, FL, Shellie Bowser of Melbourne, FL, Matthew Bowser of Titusville, FL; his stepmother, Alice Bowser of Melbourne, FL; and two grandsons, Samuel and Theo.
Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.
Burial will take place on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at Jacksonville National Cemetery; 4083 Lannie Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32218.
A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Garden Club of Orange Park; 1820 Smith St., Orange Park, FL 32073.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home, O'Fallon, IL.