Richard A. “Dick” Bowman

Age 89, of Lansing, passed away January 11, 2013. He was born March 17, 1923 in Hastings, MI, to Benjamin and Reda Bowman.

Dick served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 8^th Armored Division. He saw his first combat action in southern Germany, became part of occupational forces in Europe, and was discharged February 6, 1946. He was employed at Lindell Drop Forge as an assistant manager. He then served as president of Missaukee Tool & Die in Lake City, MI, an affiliate of Lindell. He was a devout Christian and member of Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lansing. He served in many church boards and volunteered on many church projects. Dick was an avid fisherman of Bluegill in winter and summer, and also enjoyed bowling and golf.

He was a kind and generous man, and will be missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marilyn J. Bowman; children, Patricia Bowman and Diane (Steve) Sawyers; 4 grandchildren, Brent (Jessica) Sawyers, Todd (Jen) Sawyers, Marc (Alicia) Sawyers and Paul Sawyers; great-grandchildren, Conner and Sophie; special niece, Lynn Britton; also many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard D. Bowman; and 9 brothers and 5 sisters.  Dick was proud of his large family, and at the age of 80, he wrote a book entitled “A Portrait of the Benjamin and Reda Bowman Family.”

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2013, at Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Paul J. Lindloff officiating. Interment will follow in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church’s Debt Retirement Fund.