Douglas Bowden Obituary

Bowden, Douglas
GUILDERLAND - Douglas J. Bowden, of Guilderland, N.Y., passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side on February 26, 2024, at the age of 86. He was born in the Bronx, N.Y., son of Douglas and Emily Bowden.
After receiving his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Masters in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Doug served over 5 years in the U.S. Army supporting their rocket advancements and achieving the rank of Captain. He worked for GE Silicones in Waterford, N.Y., as a Chemical Engineer and Manager for over 35 years. An enthusiastic reader with an inquisitive mind and a thirst for understanding, he inspired many. Doug was a lifelong runner and served in leadership positions in the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club and the Willow Street Running Gang.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judith P. Bowden; his sister, Mary Ellen Bowden; his sons, Scott W. Bowden (Amy), Peter G. Bowden (Karla) and Craig A. Bowden; his grandchildren, Sabry and Miles Bowden; and his extended family and friends.
In his honor, contributions are welcomed to the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club in support of their "Just Run" community program. The family is planning a Celebration of Doug's Life and will communicate details once confirmed. Please see Newcomeralbany.com to leave a special message for the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Times Union on Mar. 3, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Bowden

3 Entries

Vince Juliano

March 8, 2024

My condolences to the Bowden family. I knew Doug as an informal leader of a group of runners who trained every weekend in Guilderland starting in the 1990's, running the rural hills near the Grant Hill army training base. Doug would always station water and gatorade on top of that hill and also at the finish of our typical 10 to 16 mile runs. Often a few dozen runners would show up every weekend, and the start and finish of those training runs were at Doug's home. Doug also enjoyed using his engineering skills to precisely measure a variety of training loops at the Albany State campus, and developed maps of courses with their precise distances. I suggested we name one of those 15K training races after Doug Bowden, and that was done. Now nearing my 67th birthday, I still run those Guilderland Hills a few times each winter when snow prevents me from running on the bike paths. I think of Doug often on those runs. He ran with us for years until he could not....but he still enjoyed meeting us for coffee and a chat post run almost every Sunday. He loved the sport of running and the people he met on those weekend runs and he often read my articles I wrote about the sport and offered generous comments. RIP Doug

Paul Supple, RPI ChE '79

March 4, 2024

My condolences to Judy and the entire Bowden family. I worked with Doug from 1979 through 1993 at GE Silicones. He was brilliant, to say the least. Doug had a memory beyond belief and was extremely good at analyzing complex problems and breaking them down into solvable pieces. Doug was generous with his time and was always willing to help other engineers with their problems. I consider him one of my mentors and I think of him often even though I haven't seen him in years. Beyond being technically competent, Doug also had a keen sense of humor and was a shrewd observer of the contemporary scene. Doug's office was near the coffee pot at work so we spoke many mornings during the 6 years that we worked in the same building. I have fond memories of conversations with Doug about everything from family life to running to politics and more. Aside from being a major contributor to GE, Doug enriched my life and others around him and made the world a better place. Rest in peace, my friend.

Alan Crawford

March 1, 2024

I am very sad to hear of Doug's passing. I worked with him at GE Silicones 1989-2004. I consider Doug one of my many technical mentors and still use on an almost daily basis in my professional career (industrial silicon chemistry) things I learned from him so many years ago. I am also grateful to Doug as he loaned me his black Thistle #3048 to sail on Saratoga Lake.

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