Donald Wayne Bowen

Donald W. Bowen, a Colorado native, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2018. Don was born October 16, 1931 in Denver, CO to the late Ralph and Josephine Bowen. He had an older brother, Robert who preceded him in death. In 1947 the family moved to Estes Park where “Donnie and Bobby” helped their dad ranch at the Dunraven Ranch. Don graduated from Estes Park High School in 1949 and went to College at the Colorado Teachers College (University of Northern Colorado). He enlisted in the Army in 1953 and was a 2nd Lieutenant based in Ft. Sill, OK; San Marcos, TX; and Ft Carson, CO. During the first year of service, he and Beverly Ann Parton (EPHS ’49) corresponded by mail and were married on August 22, 1953. Their son Ron was born in 1955 in Colorado Springs while Don was still in the service. When his enlistment was complete, the family moved to Denver. Don was an insurance agent for several years and soon after their daughter, Kristi, was born in 1958. They moved to Aurora where Don was a partner in an insurance agency. In 1967, Don moved his family to Fort Collins so he could finish his college education at CSU, receiving his Bachelors degree in Vocational Education. From 1968 – 1978 he taught Business Education and DECA at Fort Collins High School. While he was teaching, he pursued his ‘hobby’ of making picture frames with his company R&D Framing. After retiring from teaching, he opened a picture framing school and taught others how to frame pictures all over the US as well as internationally. After 22 years of teaching framing he retired in 2000 and started his hobby making jewelry from silver and gemstones. Don was active in the First Presbyterian churches in Aurora and Fort Collins and later in the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Estes Park. He was very involved with the Art Center of Estes Park as well as the Lions Club. Don was always involved in his children’s lives going to every concert, game or activity. He was a huge Broncos fan and in his spare time enjoyed fishing, camping, golf, bowling and spending time with his family. Don is survived by his children, Ron (Sue) Bowen and Kristi (Randy) Fisher; grandchildren, Rachelle (Zach) Smyth, Katie Bowen, Kelsie Fisher and Ryan (Larissa) Weisgerber; great grandchildren, Izzy, Micah, Jayden and Lilli. He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, parents Ralph and Josephine, brother Robert, and grandson Jay. A celebration of Don’s life will be held on January 13, 2018 at Noon at the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Estes Park. Donations can be made to either Hospice or the Estes Park Art Center in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517.