Bob passed away peacefully at home on August 16, 2022, with his children at his side. He was 96 years of age. Bob was born on December 28, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Harry Orwin and Louise Tanner Bowen and lived the majority of his life in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah.
Bob studied at the University of Utah prior to attending the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, graduating in 1947 at the young age of 21. He began serving in the Utah Nation- al Guard in 1949 and was a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corp from 1951 to 1953. Bob loved being a dentist and was cherished by his patients. He practiced for over 50 years in Salt Lake City until retiring to St. George, Utah in 2000. His dental practice continues 68 years later, operated by his son Brad and grandson Brandon. During his career Bob did extensive volunteer dental work in Asia and Central America.
Bob married Jolayne Robbins Bowen in 1950 and had seven children: Becky Ballantine (married to William Ballantine and lives in McCall, ID), Scott Bowen (married to Vali Somers and lives in Bellevue, WA), Chris Bowen (married to Nancy Taylor and lives in Great Falls, VA), Tracy Bowen (lives in Salt Lake City, UT), Brad Bowen (married to Shelly Bowen and lives in Salt Lake City, UT), Laurie Fyans (passed away in 2013) married to Joseph Fyans, and Michael Bowen (passed away as a child). Bob leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. After his amicable divorce from Jolayne Bowen he had a long term relationship with Beverly Wright until she passed away in 2019.
Bob was a healthy, athletic man who enjoyed the outdoors. He was a Boy Scout leader and maintained a cabin in Brighton and a small ranch in Oakley for many years. He hiked, camped and skied into his eighties, swimming regularly until COVID shut down his athletic club. Bob cherished learning throughout his life, enrolling in adult education courses at Dixie State University into his nineties. The final years of his life was spent living with his son Tracy Bowen, who took excellent care of him. He was good company and was visited often by all of his children. He will be remembered as a soft-spoken, kind, and gentle man. He was loved and will be missed.
Love you always. Rest In Peace dear man.
