A.D. (Dick) Bowen

Dick was born in El Paso, Texas on July 22, 1930. He was raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico and graduated from Las High School. He then entered New Mexico State University where he received his degree in accounting. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War as a pilot. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he returned to the University of Texas at El Paso and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Geophysics.

He moved to Abilene in 1957 and began working for General Western Petroleum as a petroleum geologist. In the early 1970’s he and C.R. Dean formed a drilling company named DB Drilling. In the late 1970’s he and several Abilene businessmen acquired a small regional airline names Chaparral Airlines with the intent of bringing airline service to Abilene. Chaparral grew and later became American Eagle Airlines. In the mid 1980’s he sold his interest in the drilling company to Templeton Energy in order to spend full time as Chairman and CEO of American Eagle. Later the airline was sold to AMR and he remained Chairman and CEO until his retirement in the early 1990’s. In addition, he served on the board of an airline holding company, which owned several airlines and was a member of the audit committee. He served on the board of the, “Texas Association of Taxpayers” as well as several boards including the holding company Independent Bankshares, which owned several banks and was Chairman of the Trust Committee. He helped start the, “Joint Venture for Crippled Children: with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center where he was a director. As a Trustee for the YMCA, he became involved in the, “School After Care Program” which he felt was a very important and seeded project. In Addition, he was chairman of the Board of Directors for seven years for the LaJet Golf Classic which was a PGA Tour event.

In 1979, he was elected to the Abilene City Council and was later names Mayor Pro Tem. He also served as President of the Ruidoso-Sunland racetracks and the Jockey Club. He was inducted into the New Mexico State University Hall of Fame in 1998.

For hobbies, he enjoyed golf, travel, and his summer home in Ruidoso, New Mexico. During his tenure with the airline industry, he and his wife LaHoma traveled all over the world as he dealt with airline related issues. He considered both of them to be very fortunate to have been able to see and do so much. In his later years, Dick relished in the joys of his grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, especially during summers spent in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He was very devoted to his wife and family.

Dick will live forever in the hearts of his family and friends. He gave his family his heart thoughts and love, because his welfare was bound up in the welfare of others. His spirit has passed but his heart belongs to us.

He is survived by his wife, LaHoma; his children David Ingram and his wife, Kim, Cheryl Harrison and husband Dr. Steve Harrison, David Bowen, and wife Sue Anne, and Laura Crumbaugh and husband Ro; twelve grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jean Barnes.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elliott-hamil.com for the Bowen family.