Bob Bowen

Robert Charles Bowen, 72, died on May 20th, 2022 at home after a lengthy, vicious, illness which he endured with grace, patience, and humor. He was born in Charles City and grew up in Des Moines. After High School, he served in the Navy for six years as a corpsman in several stateside hospitals during the Vietnam War. Bob worked at the Des Moines V.A. Hospital for his entire career as a respiratory therapist with his best friends and fishing buddies, Steve Lane and Carl Pace. They have been a steadfast presence in the years’ long progression of Bob’s illness who brought Walleye when Bob could no longer fish. Preceding him were the deaths of his parents, Frank and Annabelle (Oxley) Bowen and stepfather Bill Llewelyn who joined the family after Frank’s death, and sister Carol, and brothers Dick and Jim. Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Jeannine (Peterson) Bowen and their son, Chad A. Bowen. Additional relatives include a sister, Barb (Walt) Hiltbrunner, niece Terri, and nephews Mike and Brian. Also surviving are two special friends who are considered family, Terry and Bev Heuton. These longtime Urbandale neighbors cared for the family in countless ways- especially with prayers. They are loved. Many thanks are extended to Every Step Hospice for overseeing Bob’s medical needs that were overwhelming at times. Finally are the super-hero individuals who became friends doing the daily care for years that literally kept the household working and sanity preserved. Your presence was a blessing. Thanks and best wishes to you and your families. You will be missed. Bob was one of those quiet, humble, guys who never got upset about life’s ups and downs. He was steady and reassuring; a fine husband and father who never thought he was special, but we knew. He wanted cremation with no funeral, preferring instead to donate to Veteran’s charities like Wounded Warriors, DAV, or to Tunnel to Towers. He urges others to do likewise. Messages and memories can be left at www.caldwellparrish.com under Bob’s name.