Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

University of Delaware

Richard Cowen Obituary

COWEN

RICHARD COWEN (Age 50)

"Rick" also known as Richard Dean, a world renowned New York City-based fashion and advertising photographer, actor and model died of pancreatic cancer on December 27, 2006 in Mahattan.

Born and raised in Bethesda, MD, Rick graduated from Winston Churchill and upon graduating from the University of Delaware in 1980 on a full football scholarship, Rick played professional football in the Canadian Football League.

He is survived by his mother, Junita Cowen; father, Chet Cowen and Beverly Tunis; sister, Cindi Clark; brother, in-law, Randy Clark and nephews, William Rhea and Brandon Clark. A private celebration of his life will be on January 13, 2007. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) at www.pancan.org, 877-272-6226.

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

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 5, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Cowen

55 Entries

Bruce Baughman

March 15, 2008

Ricky and I used to go over to his house after (and during...LOL) school to hang out. Believe it or not, one of our favorite things to do was watch Sesame Street and impersonate the Cookie Monster. Having been a teacher (and still a nut) all these years I've done that impersonation many times and it always reminded me of him. Also, I'll always remember my first taco - served to me by Mrs.Cowen. And that was WAY before Taco Bell made it to the East Coast, or I moved to the West Coast. I was glad to have seen Ricky at the reunion too, as others have said. My love and sympathy to the Cowen family. Bruce (formerly NUBS) Baughman

Keri Leeson

January 22, 2007

Ricky had the biggest heart anyone could have. The sweetest guy you can ever meet has left us to go home. Aunt Juanita, I pray that God is comforting you day by day. To the rest of our family I pray that God will get us through this, the loss of our very own ANGEL. Ricky, your family loves you and will always be thinking of you and missing you, until we all meet again.

Louise Marthens

January 16, 2007

My heart goes out to the Cowen family. Ricky will be in your hearts forever.

The Cowen Family X-mas Eve 2005

January 12, 2007

Chet, Rick & Cindi X-mas Eve 2005

January 12, 2007

Tom Leeson

January 11, 2007

An amazing boy, an amazing man, an amazing life...I'll miss you deeply Rick. Love you forever!
Uncle Tom

Ricky even made it as my screen saver

Roxanne Bachowski

January 11, 2007

Every girl Ricky kissed somehow turned into a swan-- He whispered in our ears and he touched our souls...
Cindi, your devotion & dedication to your bother was truly heroic-

christa huit

January 11, 2007

Ricky-Rick,
You lived the fullest life a person could imagine in your short time here with us. You lived your life with laughter, with love, with passion, with confidence and all with such a big smile and heart. You enjoy your rest my dear, you more than earned it. Hugs and kisses to you.

My greatest sympathy to the Cowen family, I am deeply sorry for your loss of such a vibrant son, brother, uncle, nephew. God bless.

Stephanie Graham

January 11, 2007

My most heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Cowen family. I will miss Rick greatly.

Roseann Schneider

January 10, 2007

My heart goes out to the family of Ricky. To Juanita, Cindy, Brandon, Randy, Chet and Billy. May God be with them all.

Leeson

January 10, 2007

When we got the call abour Ricky right before Christmas, our hearts sank. Although we are on the other side of the country, we felt a closeness to him. Adam and Brianna had such a great time with him the summer they went to New York with their dad. He took time to show them around and they got see what an amazing man he was. I am thankful for that. Whether it was overseeing her when she wanted to model or just emailing back and forth, Ricky always made time for Brianna, he made her feel important to him and she knew he loved her by the little things he did. He had a way of making you feel like you were his closest friend even if you just met him. His generous way and love of life will be missed. Our lives are better having had him in it. Our prayers are with the rest of the family.
Blessings,
Adam, Brianna, Sean and Laurel Leeson

Uncle Mike Leeson

January 10, 2007

My first baby. A life of fun, adventure and unbridled enthusiasm, great success and accomplishment. Everything but time.

Bibi Graham-Reed

January 10, 2007

Such a deeply, deeply sad thing. I wish I could have said goodbye to him. I have been watching Cover Shot with my thirteen year old daughter and every time Ricky came on, I would say "Rickyyyyyyyy." And my daughter would groan. It felt so good just to see him on television.

I have been reading the guest book and appreciate the memories people are sharing. My favorite Ricky memory is that one summer Ricky and I hung out in Rehobeth together for a few days. We stayed too long drinking "ice teas" at the Summerhouse and Ricky finally said he knew a place where we could sleep. Just as friends, of course.
So he drove us to this place in the middle of the night and we went in the basement and slept on a pull out couch. In the morning, a woman came down and started screaming. Apparently Ricky got the wrong house and we had to gather our stuff and go running out with our shoes in our hands. Too much!

Another story is from when I moved to NYC to go to graduate school. The first night there, Ricky said he would take me out. It was around the time the movie "Purple Rain" came out and Prince was the hottest thing going. I had just seen the movie two nights before. Anyway, Ricky took me out to one of those places where you have to pass muster to get in, but of course he got us in. And Prince was there, sitting with an entourage in cordoned off area! I couldn't believe that I got to call home the next day and tell all my friends that I had been at a club with Prince my first night in NYC.

Another time, about four years ago, I was visiting NYC with a friend and we were sitting on a park bench somewhere in lower Manhattan. And all of a sudden, I look up and there is Ricky walking down the street! He invited us to a gallery opening/party he was going to and we had a great. crazy time, the kind of time you could only have with Ricky.

I used to joke with Mrs. Cowen that I knew how to sign her name better than she did because of all the time in middle school and high school that Ricky would seek me out to write him a note to turn in to the office.

Anyway, I could go on and on. I loved Ricky. He is the friend I have known longest in my life. He was an exceptional human being and it is hard to believe we won't hear him laugh again. I still have the
little diamond ring he gave me when I was thirteen.

So, so, sorry Cindy and Juanita that this had to happen. I can't imagine how deep your grief must be. People die all the time, but this man was something else. We won't meet another like him. There are so many people mourning right now.

Thessy Mehrain

January 10, 2007

Tricky Ricky...this one is for you. Yesterday the sad news finally reached me
that you have left our matrix for good. Wow...what a bummer...
Traveling in India the finality of this seems unreal and way too much for me to
comprehend right now.
What to do?? I cried and then I danced in celebration of your life and
the time we spent.
In those 7 years since we met you and I had a special bond of
exploration and fun. We shared a love for people and adventure, the
interest in photography and the zest for life. You were truly cool and
I don't use this word lightly. But you were a genuinely good person and
a sincere, funny and true friend to me (thanks for 'taking one for the
team' back then).
You were smart and skilled, handsome and mannered, kind with an edge
and equipped with an incredible knowledge and intuition for people
(with a phd in 'women')... always full of plans and ambitions working
hard following your dreams.
I know you lived life to its fullest and left while being on
top....your way to go...forever young (though a tad older than you
wanted to admit ;-) )
I will miss you much. xoxxxo
My deepest felt sorrow to the family.
With very, very special and fond memories of Rick. thessy

January 9, 2007

Michael Grossman

January 9, 2007

I am so sad to hear about the passing of Ricky. I heard through my mom that he had struggled w/ cancer for a short perriod and was not able to beat it. Ricky and the Cowens lived up the street from me when I was little and I will always have fond memories of the whole family. Even though Ricky was ten years older than me, I thought he was just about the coolest guy in our whole neighborhood. He played football and rode dirtbikes and got all the pretty girls. I wished I was bigger so that I could go riding dirt bikes with him too, but at 7 years old, that was only wishful thinking. I can remember riding my bicycle up to his house on Saturday mornings and asking his mom if he was home. She would say he was still sleeping, but I could go wake him up. He had a cool room with typical guy posters and I remember it being kind of messy. I also remember hanging out in the Cowen garage with his dad watching Chet weld and work on his choppers and cars. I remember Chet's '69 Mach I Mustang that he would have to repair because as my dad would say "Ricky smashed up the car again". I loved all the cool things that they would work on and I remember they would go riding together back in the woods behind our houses which we called the NIKE site. I would go inside and play in the house w/ Juanita and sit in the kitchen and eat snacks and play w/ their Dalmation "Samantha" who we just called Sam. I remember she had her own doggie door which I had never seen before and thought that was really neat, but since Chet was a builder, he always put neat things into houses, at least I thought so. Cindy was always so nice to me and she and my sister would hang out and I would want to hang out w/ them too, but I usually got sent away.
I didn't know Ricky in his later years, but I knew about all the things he did through my mom who got the scoop from his mom. Juanita was so proud of him and his accomplishments and I was always interested in hearing about what he was doing too. He probably just thought I was just the pest who would come over whenever he wanted to, but to me, Ricky was one of the coolest, nicest guys a little kid could know. I will always remember him along with my whole family.

Don Leon

January 9, 2007

Ricky and I were in many classes together (especially math) from 7th grade and all the way through high school! I still remember his great laugh. Ricky truly had an enthusiasm for life and all that life offered.

It was memorable to spend time with him during our high school's 30th renuion in 2004. He will truly be missed and remembered when we converge for that next sort of reunion event.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Cowen family.

Lou Anne Sharpe

January 9, 2007

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family. We hadn't seen Ricky in a while but will always have many wonderful memories.

Lorri Meyers Pearlstein (Manassas)
Lou Anne Meyers Sharpe (Nashville)

Charlie Watkins

January 8, 2007

Very sad and shocking. Way too soon. Ricky had a real zest for life. My prayers are with him and his family.

Carey Apple

January 8, 2007

My deepest sympathy goes to the Cowen family over their loss. Nothing in life prepares you for this. Ricky lived a life that most only dreamed about, but I couldn't imagine anyone else pulling it off.

Alan Kresse

January 8, 2007

Thanks for the memories........

JO'B

January 8, 2007

COME TO ME
God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me.” With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away, and although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

Daniel Greif

January 7, 2007

My condolences to the Cowen Family and to all who knew Ricky. I hadn't seen him in many years, but my memories have been and always will be one of a special person with kind gentle personality and a sense of humor guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I am smiling just thinking about him now. Ricky, you will be with us always. Daniel Greif

Paul Atelsek

January 7, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with Ricky's family and friends. Though we were not close, I remember him as a classmate in HS. I'm quite amazed at the wonderful life he led--his talent was just immense. Pro football player, professional model, REALLY talented photographer, TV personality. That's enough career for any four people. And yet, by all accounts he never let it go to his head. What a loss.

Sheri Foxman-Edenbaum

January 6, 2007

Some people come into our lives and touch a part of our soul that few every know. Cherish the memories.

Fred Shulman

January 6, 2007

My prayers are with the Cowen family.
Ricky was always happy, cheerful and lots of fun. I'm glad I saw him at the reunion. Life is too short. He will be missed by all the lives he touched.

The Geoghegan's

January 6, 2007

To Ricky's family and friends.

All and only the best thoughts for our incredible loss. There is always good that comes from the tragedies that befall each and every one of us in life.
I personally knew Ricky since Cabin John in the 7th grade. His family took me in when my stepmother suddenly died and our family was recovering from a huge loss.
In one basketball game at Cabin John Junior High, Ricky put on my basketball shoes over his shoes and ran out onto the court and the crowd roared in laughter and this is how I will always remember him. He was always extremely fun to be around. After the early years there were many experiences that will never be forgotten by me and many others that were part of Ricky's life. There are just so many memories that I cannot possibly write about all of them. At the Churchill class of 1974 30 year reunion in October of 2004, Ricky met my children and they thought he was cool with his New York attire and grew to care for him as much I do. My daughters had him on speed dial on their cell phones and he always had the time to talk with them whenever they called. It was a great experience to have been a part of Ricky's life and him being a part of our lives.

To Forever
Ricky;

John, Cynthia, Colin and Caryn Geoghegan

Sam Long

January 6, 2007

My condolences during this trying time to the family of Rick

Bubba & Kaja Farnsworth

January 6, 2007

I have many great memories of Ricky going all the way back to the 7th grade and Kaja will never forget first meeting him on the 1977 winter break Florida trip. We were all really glad he stayed in touch from NY and that we could share in his successes and infectious joy of life. Our deepest sympathy to his family ~

Maria Min

January 6, 2007

I have known Rick for about 5 years and I am deeply saddened by his passing. Rick has always had a special place in my heart. I haven't spoken with him since this past Sept so this is a complete surprise to me. Please contact me and let me know how I can help.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Cheri and Jimmy Rafferty

January 6, 2007

Ricky's impact on life and the people he loved was powerful.
He is missed today, tomorrow and always.

Susan & David Orochena

January 6, 2007

Our deepest sympathies for the Cowen family. Ricky was a very talented and beautiful person, taken from the fold much too soon.

Chris Hoge

January 6, 2007

To the entire Cowen family: Thanks so much for sharing such a brilliant gentleman with us.

Jackie (Voight) Nichols

January 5, 2007

My deepest sympathy to the Cowen family...you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Linda Kaplan

January 5, 2007

My deepest condolences to the Cowen family. It was always fun and entertaining to catch up with Ricky at our high school reunions. It was also wonderful to see his big smile on T.V. I am so happy he reached some of his dreams. He will be missed.

Kathy Payne Whitesel

January 5, 2007

Thanks for the memories. Ricky touched so many lives, he will never be forgotten. All my love to the Cowen's & Clark's. As Ricky liked to sign off on our emails...Ciao baby.

John & Ellen Guarente

January 5, 2007

Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Ricky. Although we never had the privilege of meeting him, we came to know Ricky through the many stories Cindi shared about him. May these same stories be of comfort and support now and in the years to come.

Adam Nash

January 5, 2007

I met Rick about five years ago. It was such a shock to learn of his passing, but I know he lived a very full life. We talked often about various ideas for television shows he wanted to do, and it came to fruition with Cover Shot. He was able to realize a dream and for that I am so happy.

Adam Nash, NYC

Dawn Mies-Keyes

January 5, 2007

Please except my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Ricky. I had the pleasure of going to High School with him and have kept in touch via our Churchill alumni group e-mails over the past few years.

My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family at this difficult time.

Anthoula Favatas

January 5, 2007

I cannot express my sorrow in words but I'll try. I knew Rick for close to 6 years and he is the first and only person I met in NY who grew up in the exact same neighborhood as me back in Maryland. Upon meeting we instantly trusted one another because we both grew up in the same town, went to the same highschool, hung out in the same malls, and partied in the same parking lots. Though we both had to move to 250 miles away from our sanctuary to meet. I'm glad we did meet and became good friends.

My father too passed away from Pancreatic cancer two years ago and when Rick found out he was one of the first people to call and console me.

He will be terribly missed and as they say in Greek, for those who die they give us life. He certainly gave us all life.

My heart goes out to his family.

EVVIE COWEN GORDON

January 5, 2007

Ricky Cowen--------
As great as they come,
Creative and adventuresome;
Had the entire universe made,
Deserved each top accolade.
You were much too young to leave--We're not at all prepared to grieve!
AND WE MISS YOU!

JOEL AND EVVIE COWEN GORDON (AUNT)

Pari Darvish

January 5, 2007

Please accept my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayer are with you.

Sean Leahy

January 5, 2007

Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Cowen family. I will always have fond memories of Ricky. I consider it an honor and a privilege to have been able to call him a friend.
Sean and Tracy Leahy

Brian Wong

January 5, 2007

I am very sorry for your loss. I have experienced losses both anticipated and unexpected. When I was fifteen years old in my first year in high school, my mother died of melanoma at age 54 in December 2004; we were anticipating the loss. As with me, I am sure your loss is emotionally stressful for you and your family.

Your grief may ebb and flow. It has been said that each of us has this well deep inside of us that can be filled to the brim with grief. Every time we cry, we empty out some of the well. But the well fills again. The level of sorrow in your well may lessen as time passes, but it will never run dry. There will always be birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and those days when the well seems to fill to its brim again. Allow yourself time to remember and mourn. It is part of your healing. Grief is a continuing journey.

Steve Tabb

January 5, 2007

My prayers and deepest sympathy to the Cowen Family.

Laura Littlefield Perezsegnini

January 5, 2007

I am hugging you all in prayer and thought.
Laura

Roxanne & Jan Bachowski

January 5, 2007

Ricky was truly an incredible friend- He lived a life, that most of us dream of--
Never a wasted moment.
Thank you for being a part of our lives-

Cobey Kuff

January 5, 2007

My sister, brothers and I grew up with the Cowens and new Ricky well in the 60's and 70's, He will be missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Cowen's and Clark's.

Cobey Kuff

Showing 1 - 55 of 55 results