Glen William Bowden

Glen William Bowden

October 6, 1926

June 3, 2015

My "most amazing man" joined his son and best friend, Byron "Billy" Bowden (Vietnam, 1969), in a long-awaited reunion on June 3, 2015.

Glen was born in Waterloo, Iowa and came to Oregon with his parents shortly after. He had a difficult childhood, growing up in Grants Pass and out on the Applegate with grandparents and aunts looking after him for some time, after being abandoned. He eventually lived with several farmers, exchanging work for a place to live.

At 16, Glen went to Montana to work on a ranch for the summer and joined the u.s. Navy at 17. He spent WWII on a supply ship in the South Pacific and saw action when the fleet came under fire. Because of his work experience and athletic ability, he became the ship's crane operator. After the war, he did whatever work was available and found himself sawing lumber for Eugene Burrill in Prospect, Ore., where he also played quarterback on their semipro football team. He later accepted work in Arcata, Calif. as head sawyer at a lumber mill until his wife, Loraine, developed redwood poisoning.

They then relocated to Reno, where he bought a cat and backhoe and taught himself to use them by digging holes on his property and filling them in. He convinced John Arden he could build Reno Park for him, which he did, putting in roads, a water system and septic tanks. He used books to learn the proper construction for each. When the housing market tanked, he went to work for John-Ascuaga at the Nugget in Sparks; Nev. Within six months he was supervisor in the engineering and maintenance dept.

Glen was a perpetual student, taking classes in welding, commercial refrigeration, real estate, architectural drafting, machinist course, landscape management into his 70s and was a perfectionist

in everything he did. After retirement, he was called to go to work at St. Mary's Hospital in Reno, which he did, twice.

After his wife passed, he continued to frequent the restaurant they had eaten at daily. Over a year later the restaurant was sold and he endeared himself to the new owner with his magnetic personality and many talents.

Glen married Susan on January 1, 2000 and they later moved back to the Rogue Valley to retire, again. They both became master gardeners through the OSU Extension and Glen continued learning by taking electrical and small engine repair courses.

He was loved by everyone who knew him and shared his talents freely with anyone who had a need.

Glen is survived by his wife, Susan; daughters, Cheryl Kostiuk and Corine Henry; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and best friends, Lew and Gwen Gieseke.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Loraine; his sons, Byron Bill Bowden and Archie Bowden; his sisters, Alice Bowden and Yvonne Nolen.

Many thanks to our "Angel", Denise, from Lovejoy Hospice.

A Celebration of Life potluck will be held later this summer.