New London, N.H. —
Dave was an active member of the community. He was one of the original founders of the local Habitat for Humanity. He drove many miles for the Council on Aging, served on the library board at Colby Sawyer College, cleared and maintained hiking trails for the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, worked with the New London Historical Society, and delivered countless meals for Meals on Wheels. His final act of service was donating his body to Tufts Medical Center.
Born in Montclair, N.J. on Nov. 4, 1921, Dave graduated from Princeton in 1943 and was an avid supporter of the university throughout his life. He raised money for the Friends of Princeton Track and in recent years wrote many of the remembrances for classmates for the Princeton Alumni Weekly. In June he attended his 75th anniversary reunion.
After graduating from Princeton and serving in the Army from 1943 until 1946, Dave and his wife had two children before moving to Springdale, Conn. where they had their third child. In 1953 Dave took a job with American Can Company and moved the family to Mt. Dora, Fla., where Dave served on the City Council and enjoyed sailing. In July of 1964 the family, now with six children, moved to Warren, N.J. and Dave began working for Metal Lithographing, Co. After retiring in 1986, Dave and his wife settled in New London, where they continued to enjoy a life of service and quiet on the lake.
Dave was also well-known for his love of bicycling, including the many years he spent riding a tandem with his wife. For the last number of years, he rode with his sons in New London’s Historical Society ride, he rode an antique bicycle in the Hospital Day parade and participated in the Prouty as recently as last year on his recumbent yellow trike.
Dave is survived by Margaret (née Keeler) Bowen, his wife of 73 years; his six children, Linda Masters, Jeff, Betsy, Jimmy, John and Michael Bowen; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Because Dave loved his ice cream, on July 28, at 1 p.m., there will be an ice cream social at Lyon Brook. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the New London Historical Society.