Richard G. Bowerman, 87, of East Gilead, Michigan, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 10, 2021. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 24, at his beloved Lockwood Community Church in Coldwater, Michigan. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 pm; the memorial service will start at noon, followed by a luncheon. A graveside service with military honors will follow the luncheon at East Gilead Cemetery. Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwter.
Richard, son of the late Gerald & Thelma (Nelson) Bowerman, was born on August 15, 1933 on a farm in East Gilead, Michigan (the same farm that he lived at for much of his life). He served honorably in the US Army (special forces) and later graduated from Michigan State University. Richard married Vonda J. Stryker on May 30, 1957 in Angola, IN.
Richard worked in sales and management for much of his life, selling farm equipment and leading branches throughout the United States. Richard also led the efforts to help an American farm machinery manufacturer expand to -and to establish a sales force in-Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. Richard loved people, was extremely outgoing, and loved all things having to do with farming and agriculture. However, he considered his most important work to be the 29 years he spent as a volunteer associate chaplain with Forgotten Man Ministries of Branch County, reaching out to prison inmates, including those in maximum security, bringing many people to Christ. For many years he was also involved in a prison ministry in Angola, Indiana, changing many lives. Richard was a member of the Steuben County Gideon’s for 25 years, a cabinet member for 7 years, and its president for almost 4 years.
Richard was a member of Lockwood Community Church, an avid hunter and fisherman, an expert marksman (delighting in teaching his children and grandchildren how to properly and safely use a gun), as well as a lover of dogs, books and Christmas (not necessarily in that order). He loved tinkering in the workshop and barns on his farm, a dog usually trailing behind. Richard was a devoted family man and, for someone who didn’t accept Christ until his 50s, a devoted servant of the Lord. His family (and precious current dog, Abby) will miss him terribly, but are grateful for the many years they had with him and all they learned from him. Richard was one of a kind, with a positive attitude and a zest for life; he will never be forgotten.
Richard is survived by his wife of 64 years (Vonda), as well as 2 sons, Mike (Jerry Sue) Bowerman and Richard Theodore Bowerman; one daughter, Tamara (Tim) Schulte; as well as 5 grandchildren: Michael Haller, Richard John (Jenna) Bowerman, Katie Bowerman, Jessica Schulte and Lucas Schulte.
Memorials may be directed to Forgotten Man Ministry of Branch County or East Gilead Church. Condolences may be left for the family at Dutcher Funeral Home, www.dutcherfh.com.
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