Richard James Bowman Sr.

Richard James Bowman, Sr., was born to the late Charles and Anna (Briody) Bowman in Newark, New Jersey on September 17, 1930, and was the eldest of four siblings. He was especially blessed in his latter years with the gift of a sharp mind, continued independence and the ability to drive until recent months. He passed away at Restore Rehabilitation Center in White Plains, Maryland from aortic stenosis at 7:29 p.m. on Sunday, November 24, 2024, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Richard was 94 years old.

Richard enjoyed life and would recall his younger years with gusto commenting that he had an adventure of a lifetime! He was thankful and proud to be the recipient of Catholic education. He joined the United States Navy in 1947 and served with honor for nearly two decades. He rose through the ranks with roles ranging from Quartermaster-Signalman to Assistant Navigator on the USS Turkey (sweeping mines in the Mediterranean Sea) to Chief Air Traffic Controller.

Richard met Gloria Hand at the Ivanhoe Dance Hall in Irvington, New Jersey while on leave. After knowing each other for two weeks, Richard said, “Marry me and I will show you the world.” Gloria laughed and commented that he didn’t even know her. Richard replied that they had a lifetime to get acquainted. They corresponded for a year before getting married at Blessed Sacrament Church in Newark, New Jersey on November 8, 1951 spending 67 plus years together until Gloria (affectionately known as, “Sweetie Pie” or “Punkie Bow”) passed in 2019.

Over the years, they had four beloved children and traveled both in and out of the United States including French Morocco and Japan afforded to them by Richard’s naval career. They lived in Yokohama, Japan from 1959 to 1962.

After the Navy, Richard utilized his passions for history, music, reading, writing, and storytelling for entertainment. From 1966 to 1970, Richard could be heard on WKIK in Leonardtown, Maryland as a radio personality. He sold and recited his own scripted commercials on air. From 1970 to 1985, Richard was an Air Traffic Controller for the U.S. Army Communications Command on Tipton AAF, in Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland. Richard was a founding member of the Charles County Alliance for the Mentally Ill and appointed by Governor William Donald Schaefer to serve on the Civilian Advisory Board at Crownsville Hospital Center for a term ending in 1992.

Richard's gregarious personality endeared him to all those he encountered. For a time, he enjoyed a few roles in local theatre and was part of a Toastmasters Club. He was known to family and acquaintances for his extemporaneous songs, poetry, speeches, and stories, and could often be heard urging others to, “Tell me a story.”

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Charles Edward Bowman and Anna Briody Bowman Galvano, siblings James Francis Aloysius Bowman and Patricia Ann Bowman Scanniello, beloved wife Gloria Elizabeth Bowman, and beloved daughters Suzanne Marie Bowman and Claudia Elizabeth Hodge. Richard is survived by his sister Rosemary Galvano Sparks (Christopher Corey Sparks), sons Christopher James Bowman (Susan Chunn) and Richard James Bowman, Jr. (Christine Bowman); his grandchildren Jerry Hodge, Jack Bowman, Lydia Bowman and Sarah Bowman; and his great-grandchildren Rachael Hodge, Claudia Hodge and the expected arrival of Weston Stratton. His family will forever cherish Richard’s memory.

Richard received the great blessing of receiving the apostolic pardon and the sacraments before his passing. In thanksgiving for the gift of Richard, our beloved dad and grandpa, and to Jesus Christ our King and His priesthood, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church in lieu of flowers. Richard was a long standing parishioner there.

Richard’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Waldorf, MD on Friday, December 6th, at 10:00 a.m. preceded by a Visitation at 9:00 a.m. and the Rosary at 9:30 a.m.

A graveside service & interment for Richard will follow the Mass on, Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11:15 AM at St. Peters Catholic Church Cemetery, 3320 St Peters Dr, Waldorf, MD 20601.