Richard Bowden

EDDINGTON - Richard Lee Bowden, 87, passed away on May 9, 2025. He was born on April 27, 1938, the eldest of six sons of Donald and Thelma (née Perkins) Bowden of Orrington.

Richard attended Orrington schools and graduated from Brewer High School, Class of 1956; he was a lifelong autodidact.

Married in 1960 to Charlene Kelley of Eddington, they spent the next 65 years together and reared three children.

Richard was a man of integrity, principle and purpose, and had immense patience. He approached everything with a can-do attitude.

He became a full-time member of the Air National Guard in 1960, and eventually served 42 years, seven months and eight days in uniform. At mandatory retirement in 1998 at age 60, he had risen to Chief Master Sergeant in charge of aircraft maintenance.

Richard had a longstanding working relationship with Major General Wil Hessert, who described him as "probably the smartest and most decent Senior Non-Commissioned Officer I've been privileged to work with. His knowledge, personal integrity and leadership skills were simply Outstanding". Richard was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and others. His knowledge and experience gained him a position on teams that investigated aviation incidents and advised on measures to forestall recurrences.

He was a skillful craftsman and built a home for his family while still working full-time, having begun by felling timber on his grandfather's woodlot. He was justifiably proud of having built the house himself from the ground up.

Richard loved to travel, having visited England, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Türkiye, as well as many deployments to military bases throughout the US. After he retired, he and Charlene traveled extensively.

Masonry was a large part of his later life, having joined Rising Virtue Lodge, #10 A.F. & A.M., in Bangor, in 1984, and serving as its master in 1989. He went on to serve as Sixth District Deputy and Junior Grand Warden, and was honored to receive the Scottish Rite's 33rd degree, earning the title "Illustrious" (but remained ever humble). He gave generously of his time, conducting annual installations at lodges throughout the region and mentoring newcomers. After retiring, he learned to play the bagpipes, marching with the Anah Highlanders and playing in parades, weddings, funerals and veterans' events. He was awarded the Josiah Hayden Drummond Distinguished Service Medal by the Grand Master in 2005.

Other community involvement included serving as chairman of the SAD #63 school board and decade-long president of the Eddington Historical Society, as well as volunteering with schoolchildren at the former Curran Homestead Living History Farm and Museum in Orrington.

As Richard's health failed, he was cared for at home by his wife and son.

He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers Paul, Barry, and Brian. His son-in-law Héctor Gomez recently passed away in Texas, on May 26, followed by Richard's younger brother Philip on June 2 in Georgia.

Richard is survived by Charlene, his wife of 65 years; his children: Kelley (Emil) Gotschlich, of Naples, Maine; Susan Gomez, of Texas, and Bruce Bowden, of Eddington, as well as grandchildren, Madeleine, Connor, Colin and Siobhan. Other survivors include his brother, Keith (Heather), of Orrington, and sisters-in-law, Nancy Bowden of Savannah, Georgia, Patricia Fialkosky of Groton, Connecticut, Diane Bowden, of Brewer and Darlene Bowden, of Orrington, as well as eight niblings and numerous cousins.

Richard took immense pride in his support of the Bangor Masonic Dyslexia Learning Center, 294 Union St., Bangor 04401, and, in lieu of flowers, would appreciate gestures of remembrance directed thereto, or by visiting https://www.childrensdyslexiacenters.org/centers/maine-bangor/.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 5-8p.m., Friday, June 13, 2025, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, where a memorial service will be held at 2:00p.m., Saturday, June 14. All are invited to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, immediately following the service. Private interment will occur at a later date. Those who wish to attend the service remotely may do so by visiting https://my.forever.link/register/brookings-smith/richard-bowden. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.