Richard Paul Fowler

The Reverend Richard Paul Fowler, 81, died peacefully at home in San Francisco on January 13, following a long illness. He will be remembered for his generous and creative spirit, dynamic leadership, and the faith and hope he inspired in those whose lives he touched.

Fr. Fowler served as an Episcopal priest for over four decades. He was called to serve as associate rector at Church of Our Savior, Jenkintown, PA, then as vicar at St. Martin's, Daly City, CA. From 1966-1999, he served as rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, San Francisco. During his tenure, St. Mary's greatly expanded its ministry and outreach programs, parish membership, worship services, choir and music programs, and church buildings. Under his guidance, St. Mary's helped found or support dozens of charitable organizations, including San Francisco Ministry to Nursing Homes and Episcopal Sanctuary for the Homeless. In 1999, St. Mary's parish hall was named Fowler Hall in his honor.

Fr. Fowler was active in the Episcopal Diocese of California and served as President of the Standing Committee, Deanery Representative for the Diocesan Council, member of the Bishop's Placement Committee, and as a delegate to the Episcopal Diocesan Convention. He was a member of several boards of trustees, including Grace Cathedral, Henry Ohlhoff House, and Sojourn Chaplaincy at San Francisco General Hospital. After retiring from St. Mary's, he served as chaplain at San Francisco Towers and became a parishioner of St. James Episcopal Church.

He was born on October 6, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Edwin H. and Elsie V. Fowler. He graduated from Central High School and the College of William & Mary. After serving in the U.S. Army, he received a master's degree in divinity in 1959 from the Virginia Theological Seminary. The same year, he married Florence Ludlow of Berkeley, CA. The couple had three children together and divorced in 1992.

He is survived by his former wife, Florence Fowler, of Mill Valley, CA, daughters Kathryn Fowler (Laine Wallace) of San Francisco and Elisabeth Kenneally (Stephen Kenneally) of Culver City, CA, son Richard Fowler (Will Sprietsma) of San Francisco, grandchildren Ian and Nicholas Kenneally, sister-in-law Shirley Fowler of Des Moines, IA, brother David Fowler (Maralyn) of North Palm Beach, FL, and five nieces and two nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Edwin H. Fowler, Jr. of Des Moines, IA.

His family would like to thank the staff at Buena Vista Manor House and Pathways Hospice Foundation for their loving, professional care.

A funeral service will be celebrated on Thursday, February 6 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., San Francisco. All are invited to attend. Internment will be private. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to Episcopal Charities, The Bishop's Ranch Retreat Center, or Sojourn Chaplaincy at SF General Hospital.