Ted Elward Gowen

Ted Elward Gowen passed away peacefully surrounded in love with his family by his side on December 27th after a brief illness. He will be forever remembered as a man of integrity, steadfast, kind, gentle, humble, and a seeker of knowledge and truth. The son of Terry Guy Gowen and Hazel Jones Gowen, Ted was born on October 4th, 1928, in Dallas, TX, where he spent his entire life.

He graduated from Highland Park High School and continued his education at Southern Methodist University where he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. While at SMU he lettered in swimming on one of SMU’s earliest teams. He also enjoyed playing the clarinet in the Mustang band and was a member of Phi Delta Theta.

Upon graduation from SMU he gained his initial experience in the aircraft industry which included Chance Vought Aircraft and Bell Helicopter. He began what became a 34 year career with Texas Instruments in 1957. He was involved primarily in Department of Defense (DOD) work. Over the years he contributed in both design and management positions in the execution of numerous DOD contracts in support of our armed forces. A highlight for him in his career was recognition for the major mechanical design work he did with PEP Paveway and Harm missile, along with his design of the Shrike missile. It was also during this time that Ted’s lifetime love of aviation and boating led him to invent a large kite with the idea of flying one person while being pulled behind his boat. To his great surprise, it worked. Little did he know, he was pioneering the hang gliding industry. In 1957, he invented a gyrocopter and a personal hovercraft. His son David became the first passenger in a test flight.

Ted retired from Texas Instruments in 1991 and enjoyed the new freedom it brought. He spent his remaining years sharing meaningful time with his family and pursuing his longtime hobby of designing and building model helicopters, airplanes, and drones (before there were drones) all from scratch. One of his final projects that brought great joy and fascination to his grandchildren was an elaborate, large model electric train and railroad with a replica of a town, rivers and mountains. To the delight of his grandchildren, Grandpa Ted always put them in charge of operations.

Ted found joy in his family, deep discussions on life, boating on Lake Texoma, good music and dancing, tennis, playing guitar, a good Western and all things sweet. He was an avid reader of history and religion and shared his great wisdom and knowledge humbly.

Ted is survived by daughter Laurie Roberts and husband Van Roberts, sons David and Guy Gowen, six grandchildren who he took great pride in - Seth Gowen, John Roberts, Will Roberts Camille Roberts, Grace Roberts, Hanna Roberts and sister, Colleen McGaughy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Gowen family.