Donald E. Bowen, Sr

Donald E. Bowen, Sr, 90, husband of Virginia E. (Donaher) Bowen of Ipswich, died July 10, 2020 following his extended illness. Born and raised in Ipswich, Don was the son of Chester and Dorothy (Arnold) Bowen.  Don was class president and an honor student in the IHS Class of 1948.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  He spent his career working as a civil engineer for the State of Massachusetts for thirty-one years before his retirement in 1992.  

Don loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, birdwatching and beekeeping. He loved to eat, especially the fruits and vegetables from his garden and orchard.  He had a passion for learning and had a wide range of interests including classical music, astronomy, World War II and flying.  He earned his pilot’s license and flew solo in the tri-state area.  Don was an avid sports fan, following all the New England teams and traveling with family and friends to watch the Red Sox play in various venues around the country.  

In addition to his wife of sixty-one years, he leaves his son Donald Bowen Jr. and his wife, Amy of Hamilton, his daughter, Maureen Beaudet and her husband, Mark of Ipswich and his grandson, Jeremy Bowen of Somerville. He is also survived by his brother, Howard Bowen of Ipswich, sisters  Barbara Foster of FL and Bernice Berglund of Burlington, and several nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his Boston Terrier Lucy. He was the brother of the late Dorothy Bowen, Chester Bowen and Melvin Bowen, all formerly of Ipswich.

His funeral service with Military Honors will be held Wednesday July 15 at 11am in the Highland Cemetery, Town Farm Road, Ipswich. Family and friends respectfully welcomed with masks and social distancing. Arrangements by the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home.

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