Chalmer D. Bowen
Aug. 21, 1912 — Feb. 28, 2011
MONTROSE — On Feb. 28, Chalmer D. Bowen peacefully passed away at the age of 98, at his residence at Sunrise Creek with his friends, Lowell and Deidra Manary, at his side. Chalmer was eternally blessed with a love of life, the desire to always learn more, a wonderful sense of humor, a smile and a kind word for everyone he met.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1912, in Delta, Iowa to Perman and Mattie (Taylor) Bowen. He adored his sister, Dena, and had three brothers: Oren, Wilmer and Robert. Chalmer had to quit school in 1929 due to the Great Depression to help his starving family.
His love of airplanes began at a very early age when he would wave at airplanes flying overhead in hopes they would land and give him a ride. Eventually he would earn his pilot’s license in a Waco in 1939, at the Iowa City Airport where he was working as a mechanic.
On Aug. 17, 1931, Chalmer married Emma Louise Brink, the girl next door. To their union two sons were born, Jack Eldon Bowen and Robert Donald Bowen.
Chalmer went to work at the Quaker Oats factory in Cedar Rapids and remained there until the union became involved. At that time, he decided it was time to move on. Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in California was looking for employees at that time so he filled out an application with Lockheed and was hired. He and Emma left Cedar Rapids, Iowa for Burbank, Calif. -- much to his mother's dismay. There he began work for Lockheed preparing new airplanes for their first flights. He soon became supervisor of the flight line, before being promoted to head up customer service. While working for Lockheed, Howard Hughes approached Lockheed in 1946 and asked if they had a flight engineer and mechanic who they could recommend for his company. They told Howard they did have one man but would not release him to Hughes Aircraft. After many persuasive meetings, Lockheed finally released Chalmer from his duties and he began work for Mr. Hughes at Hughes Aircraft. His career with Howard Hughes continued for 31 years until Chalmer retired at age 65 in 1977, one year after Mr. Hughes' death.
Chalmer had many memorable flights with Mr. Hughes as his co-pilot and flight engineer. However, two very outstanding highlights of his career was the one historic flight of The Spruce Goose. Chalmer was the flight engineer on that flight with both hands controlling the throttles to the eight Pratt & Whitney Aircraft 4360 radial engines. The other outstanding flight was test flying the world’s largest helicopter, the XH-17, with his good friend and pilot, Gale Moore. Chalmer also wrote the instructional manual for flying the XH-17 helicopter that had a rotor span of 120 feet with jet engines for air compression. Chalmer had so many interesting stories to tell of his fascinating adventures of his career to anyone who was interested. He was an honorary member of local EAA Chapter 1373. He always said he was never afraid when he flew; God was right there with him. He wrote a prayer that he always carried in his wallet since the day he received his pilots license in 1939.
In October 2010, Chalmer was visited by his friend Gale Moore for a reunion. Gale and his family drove to Montrose from Reno, Nev. reuniting these two men after 30 years. They had a wonderful time reminiscing about their historical flight in the XH-17 helicopter in 1952.
Chalmer and Emma spent 10 wonderful retirement years together before Emma’s death in 1988, after 57 years of marriage. They traveled all over the U.S., Canada and Alaska in their motor home camping and fishing in their favorite locations. It was after Emma’s death that Chalmer decided to leave California and move to Montrose where his son, Jack resided. Father and son had many wonderful hunting and fishing trips together before Jack’s death.
Chalmer enjoyed services in the many churches in our area, including Colona Community Church, The United Methodist Church, Zion Lutheran Church and numerous others where there were always members who were happy to see him at their service. Even though he could no longer see to read, he had remembered all the old gospel songs by heart and loved to sing along.
He will be remembered by his love of life, his bright smile, his sense of humor and quick wit and his thoughtful consideration for others.
He is survived by one son, Robert (Bonnie) Bowen of Ohio; one very special sister-in-law, Lorraine Bowen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his four grandsons, Donald (Adrienne) Bowen, Montrose, Thomas Bowen, Montrose, Jim (Debra) Bowen of California, Bobby (Toni) Bowen of California; one granddaughter, Debbie Giambrone of New York; two great-grandsons; five great-granddaughters; and many special nieces and nephews, along with his close friends, Darrell and Mary Kastendieck and Lowell and Deidra Manary. The staff and residents at Sunrise Creek will miss his winks, smiles and wonderful nature.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jack Bowen; three brothers, Oren, Wilbur and Robert Bowen; and his sister, Dina Spoke.
A funeral in honor and celebration of Chalmers’ life will be officiated at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011, at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dean Freed officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, in memory of Chalmer D. Bowen, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
