Richard "Dick" Bower

Dick was born in Syracuse NY on January 26, 1932, to Abraham J “AJ” and Margaret Bower. He often said he had a perfect childhood but that the one drawback was being an only child. Given the circumstances of the Great Depression he said that in the long run, it was probably an advantage for him. Dick’s happiness as a kid came from two sources, his parents, and his abundance of relatives.

Dick and his wife Sue met in high school in 1948 when she was working the penny booth for the mission bazaar. Sue looked up and saw Dick leaning against a post and he winked at her. She went over, introduced herself, and Dick walked her home later that day. Thus began a romance that spanned 73 years.

Dick was attending LeMoyne College in Syracuse when the Korean War and the draft intervened that led to his 30+ year Air Force career. He began as a radar repairman (Watertown, NY) and served in a variety of positions including: Navigator B-26 (Korea/French Indochina); Navigator and Special Weapons Instructor (Mather AFB, CA); Navigator B-52, Special Weapons Officer, and Disaster Control Officer (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH); Navigator RF-4C Phantom, his favorite (Thailand and Bergstrom AFB, TX); Deputy Commander Intelligence (Beale AFB, CA); Chief of U.S. Air Force Intelligence (Seoul, South Korea); and Chief of Intelligence (Bergstrom AFB, TX). While at Beale AFB Dick became one of the select few to fly the SR-71, the fastest aircraft ever built. He flew at Mach 3+ and not only considered it an honor, but also a thrill of a lifetime.

Dick was proud that he served our country in the Air Force. He flew 206 combat missions and was awarded numerous commendations for exceptional service and bravery. While a highly decorated officer, you would never know it if you met him. He treated everyone equally and with respect. He was very humble and when asked about his military medals, Dick would say, “They give these medals to you if you just show up.”

During his military career, Dick earned his bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State and his MBA from Syracuse University. After retiring from the Air Force in 1981, he earned his teaching certification from the University of Texas and began his next career as a high school teacher. Dick taught social studies and economics at Crockett and Austin High Schools. He took education seriously and continually worked hard to help his students achieve their potential.

Dick and his wife Sue have been members of St. Ignatius, Martyr Church for 40+ years. Dick served in many ways including training lectors, eucharistic ministers, and altar servers. He used his amazing speaking voice and became a favorite lector at church. He loved working in the church food pantry assisting the homeless. Dick and Sue were principal participants in all aspects of church life and were awarded the Diocesan Lumen Gentium award for their service.

Dick loved his family more than anything and said that his family is his proudest accomplishment. He is survived by his loving wife Sue of 66 years, their five children and their spouses Steve (Patti), Lisa, Rick (Susie), David (Lynda), and Tom (Kimberly) and 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Dick may have been an only child, but he leaves behind a large and grateful family.

A funeral Mass celebrating Dick’s life will be held at 10:00 am. on Monday, January 10, 2022 at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, 126 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio at 2:00pm. Please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.