Obituary of Herbert B. Bowen

Rev. Herbert B. Bowen, 87, went to be with the Lord, Monday, January 22, 2018.  Rev. Bowen was pre-deceased by his wife of 65 years, Helen Y. Bowen and his parents, Herbert W.S. and Helen E. Bowen.  He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Deborah and Marvin Persons, David and Magdalena Bowen, John Bowen, Jennifer and Michael Lavin; eight grandchildren, Sarah, Nathan, and Chris Persons, Bradley and Megan Bowen, Timothy Bowen, Lexi and Eliana Lavin; and seven great-grandchildren Kyle, Kailey, and Kevin Hillegass, Cameron and Kadence Persons, Leopold and Ophelia Bowen; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Lorraine Bowen; sister, Susan Trueworthy and partner Larry Meracle; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Marilyn Youngs; and a close-knit extended family of nieces and nephews.  Rev. Bowen graduated with a Bachelors’ Degree in English from Hartwick College and from Wesley Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity Degree. He was a lifelong scholar with a passion for reading and religion, loving philosophical discussions of both, especially if those discussions involved grandchildren.  For many years he led educational trips to the Holy Land.  He served as a Methodist minister for various churches including Cooperstown United Methodist Church, Waverly United Methodist Church and the Westover United Methodist Church.  Family was the highlight of his life, especially grandchildren and in later years, great-grandchildren. He baptized his grandchildren, later performed their marriage ceremonies and always reveled in the accomplishments of their lives.  Rev. Bowen loved sports his entire life.  He was a baseball player in his youth, and an avid fan of competition. As a young man he loved watching his children play sports and later his grandchildren, and always the Yankees!  An old 1950’s black and white photo of an early “Yankees - Red Sox” game held a prominent place in his office for decades, a reminder of the first time he saw them play.  Rev. Bowen lived a life of service to the communities within which he lived in and the populations they housed.  He was a long-time school board member, developed prison ministries, and supported those who were especially challenged by life, parishioners and non-parishioners alike.  Military veterans, especially Marines always held a special place in his heart.  One Christmas Eve he spent hours talking down a suicidal Viet Nam vet, convincing him to reach out for help. He was a gift not only to his family, but also to many others whose lives he touched with his ministry and care. Memorial services will  be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Owego with the Pastors, Jamie Stevens and Alan Jagger, officiating.  The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.  prior to the services at the church.  Memorial contributions may be made in Pastor Emeritus Herbert Bowen’s memory to the United Methodist Church of Owego, 261 Main St., Owego, NY  13827.  Condolences may be made to Rev. Bowen’s family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.