Gilbert Einar Owren

Gilbert Einar Owren

(December 14, 1940 – September 24, 2025)

Gilbert Einar Owren passed away peacefully on September 24, surrounded by his loving family, while listening to the classical music he so loved. Gil was born in Plainfield, NJ on December 14, 1940, the son of Milton Trygve Owren and Annabel Hartlaub Owren.

Gil was a proud Hilltopper and Summit High School graduate of the class of 1958. Gil went on to Middlebury College in Vermont, where he played football and was the president of his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. He graduated in 1962. Gil then earned his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall Law School before serving as a JAG officer in the Marine Corps. A proud Marine like his father, he enthusiastically greeted fellow Marines with, "Semper Fi."

In 1966, Gil met the love of his life, Frances Spetnagel Owren, in his beloved hometown of Summit, NJ. The couple married in Chillicothe, Ohio on July 1, 1967. The pair met at a parking meter on Union Place. On their tenth wedding anniversary, their daughter, then 7, walked in to see this exact meter in their Summit kitchen to mark this milestone. The couple have two loving children, Jenny and Eric.

After serving his country with pride, in 1967, Gil and the former J. Alan Drummond opened DRUMMOND & OWREN. His law partner predeceased him; the practice thrived for 57 years until Gil's retirement in 2024. The highlight of his career was a case won before the NJ Supreme Court in 1982.

Gil's passion was his family, his law practice, his beloved hometown of Summit, and, of course, football and the SHS Hilltoppers. Gil coached and mentored countless young men in Summit. One former Hilltopper aptly described Gil as, "larger than life."

Gil loved coaching, scouting, mentoring, and attending every game. He could be seen each week on the sidelines or in the bleachers. Maroon and White, Fight, Fight!

A devoted man of God, Gil loved his church. Gil and Fran were recently honored as 50-year members of Central Presbyterian Church in Summit.

Gil, "Pop," was a family man who gave sage advice and unconditional love to each and every member of his beloved family. Pop will be remembered as our strong and loving patriarch. He loved nothing more than to spend time with his five grandchildren: Gilbert, Grace, Gus, Jake, and Avery. His keen sense of humor and story-telling will live on through his many loved ones, friends, colleagues, and those he coached. He dearly loved our country and the City of Summit.

Gil will be remembered as being larger than life. Gil was a respected attorney and a fun-loving, story-telling friend to all. Gil is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances Spetnagel Owren. He is also survived by his daughter, Jenny Owren Hankinson and son-in-law, Brian Hankinson of Neptune Beach, FL; his son and best friend, Eric Einar Owren and daughter-in-law, Amanda Coleman Owren of Haddonfield, NJ. He is also survived by two loving sisters, Kristi Owren Detjen and brother-in-law, Fred Detjen, of Townsend, DE and Linda Owren Benjamin and brother-in-law, Tommy Benjamin, of Cape May Courthouse, NJ. Gil is also survived by five beautiful grandchildren, Gilbert Owren Hankinson of Clarksville, TN, Grace Owren Hankinson of Neptune Beach, FL, Gustavus (Gus) Owren Hankinson of West Point, NY, Jake Einar Owren, of Columbia, SC, and Avery Morgan Owren of Haddonfield.

Gil will continue to cheer on the Hilltoppers from his earned place in heaven. Tatlock Field was, and always will be, home to Gil. On September 24, 2025, Gil left it all on the field.

Services and a SHS football celebration will be held at later dates, which will be announced on the funeral home obituary page. Condolences may be shared with Gil's family by mail or through the www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Summit Football Alumni Association in three ways:

1. Via US mail:

Summit Football Alumni Association

PO BOX 840

Summit, NJ 07902-0840

2. Zelle: Summitfaa@gmail.com

3. Venmo: @eowren