Keith Leonard Bowen was born to William & Verna Bowen on June 24, 1931 in Hecla, Pennsylvania. He had two brothers and three sisters. During high school, he worked with his dad learning the carpentry trade. He was drafted into the Army in 1952 and served for two years. On November 11, 1954, he met the love of his life, Patricia! They were married on August 28, 1955. Within the next two years, they moved to Florida.
Shortly after arriving in Florida, both Keith and Pat became Christians and became active in the church they attended. Missions was a big part of that church, and it wasn’t long before they were challenged to take part however and wherever they could in reaching lost souls.
In 1966 they entered New Tribes Mission training. During that time, Keith was instrumental in establishing the property in Missouri for classes and housing for staff and students.
August 1969, they boarded a ship with their four children heading for Papua New Guinea via Australia. After a small delay in Australia, they arrived in Papua New Guinea in November 1969.
Keith began helping at the Numonohi school site, preparing dorms, school, furniture, desks, etc. for the move to this site.
Keith & Pat then moved to Oliguti as they joined the Yagaria work. That was to be short-lived as they were asked to be dorm parents.
Keith & Pat’s service in Papua New Guinea lasted 21 years. Those years not only included physical labor in various areas but also included weekly visits to nearby villages for evangelism and teaching.
Upon their return to the USA in 1991, they joined the staff at NTM Homes in Sanford, FL where they continued using their skills to help develop the retirement center.
Keith had a love for learning more of God’s Word and a desire to reach lost souls. In recent years and his many visits to the ER and/or the VA Hospital, he always questioned each nurse, doctor or technician if they knew the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Keith is survived by his wife, Patricia; three daughters, Sherree Forst (Steve), Nancy Brunn (Dave), Debbie Ohnmeiss (Larry); a son, Tom Bowen (Karen); 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grand-children; a sister, Mabel; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Keith will be held Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Baldwin-Fairchild Oaklawn Chapel, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, FL 32771, followed by a celebration of life from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. He will be laid to rest at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in a private family ceremony with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Keith's memory may be made to The Homes of Ethnos360 in his name: https://homes.ethnos360.org/give/.
Condolences may be offered in the online guest book below.
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