Gary Bowman

Gary married the love of his life Mary Avis Yates on June 16, 1963 and immediately moved to Texas to begin a 33 year career as a structural engineer on numerous aircraft programs for Lockheed Martin. During this time he earned his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Fort Worth, TX. He also held a Registered Professional Engineers License to support consultation work. The Bowmans lived in (Fort Worth & Aledo) Texas until Covid when they moved back to Iowa to be closer to their surviving son, Curtis. They moved from Friendship Haven to the Marian Home in 2022 where they found a second extended family.

Gary served 15+ years as an adult leader for Boy Scouts of America with his son Curtis. His troop enjoyed many scouting trips including to Colorado and New Mexico as well as Texas. Gary had numerous passions which included hunting game birds and fishing/boating trips to Minnesota, Canada and Texas. Gary had many a hunting dog, Molly (a black lab) was his favorite and surely she’ll be waiting to greet him. Gary also collected and restored old classic cars and Lionel electric model trains; his oldest model train was made in 1916. Gary loved food and Mary was an excellent cook. Gary would never turn down a chocolate milkshake nor a Corona beer; his favorite meal in later years was a Wendy’s chocolate Frosty, a cheeseburger and chili always with extra onions. The Bowmans were members of Fort Worth and Fort Dodge St. Paul Lutheran church and attended services regularly when they could. Gary also enjoyed a good game of dominos with anyone he could find to play with. Gary loved passing time watching old westerns and football especially his favorite teams – the ISU Cyclones and the Dallas Cowboys. His favorite color was Cardinal Red.

Gary was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary (2023), sons Curtis and Brian, his parents Milton and Mabel Bowman, his brother, Dale Bowman.

Survivors include his dearest cousins Lloyd Intermill (and Nancy) and Catherine Chalstrom (and her extended family) Byron (Diane) Chalstrom and Gordon (Peggy) Chalstrom, sister in law Sally Yates (MO), nephews Rampi Gulati (CA) and Pavi Gulati and his daughter Juno Gulati (Spain), in addition to his large extended “family of friends” – Erin Rossmanith and Tim & Doreen Coppinger and numerous other friends -Bob Burt (TX) Larry & Karen Handy (IA) and all the wonderful Marian Home staff -Ashley, Colleen, Dani, Dennis, Faith, Hanna, Jeanette, Jody, Josephine, Katie, Laura, Mary L, Morgan Sarah, Stephanie, Tracey, Tina, Travis and Sister Ruby, Sister Lizet, Sister Anelia, and his “daughter/friend” Kathi (TX).

Funeral services will be held at the Marian Home Chapel on Saturday July 27; visitation from 11-12 in the chapel, service from 12-1230 and graveside at North Lawn Cemetery at 1p. A celebration of life luncheon will follow at Halverson Hall at the Marian Home. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice.