E. Geoffrey Gowman

E. Geoffrey Gowman was born in Detroit on October 11, 1938 the son of Merrill and Valeska Gowman. Geoff passed away, due to complications of a stroke, on December 10 at Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe with his family by his side. A pure lifelong Detroiter, Geoff grew up on the east side in the Dickerson & Outer Drive area. He attended Our Savior Lutheran Church, went to Goodale grade school, then Denby High School. As a boy he was a newspaper carrier for the Detroit News, then as a teenager he hand set pins at Majestic Bowl, the oldest continuously operating bowling alley in the city and country. After graduating, Geoff served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 until 1965, he was honorably discharged as Lieutenant J.G., remaining in the Naval Reserves for the two years following. He then obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work at Wayne State University and retired as a Social Worker for the State of Michigan, working mainly with the elderly and handicapped. He believed in devoting his life to helping others. As Geoff just got out of the Navy, he noticed a young girl playing ball at his local church, asked who "Ruth" was and then married her just a year later. They raised two daughters, Genevieve and Katherine. As a father he was consistently involved in coaching his children in sports and getting them involved with the community, while instilling the importance of history. Geoff and Ruth were united as a team for 49 years! As a proud Detroit resident, he actively supported his neighborhood. In the 1980's he received the Spirit of Detroit Award. He continued to help organize the neighborhood group "Detroit East Area Residents," now known as "The East English Village Association," which has a strong presence within the City of Detroit. Geoff was not one just to sit and complain, he would do what he could to make change. When the community began losing our beautiful tunnels of trees on each block to Dutch Elm Disease, he taught himself how to potentially save the trees with injections. To anyone willing to pay the cost of the chemicals used his labor was free. Several summers went by with each weekend spent injecting trees. During the troublesome decades of the 60's and 70's in Detroit, Geoff didn't feel the Mayor was doing his due diligence for all Detroit residents. To get the attention of the voters and the City, he chose to run against the Mayor knowing full well he could not win, but it would ensure an opportunity to publicly voice his opinions with the hope of awakening change. Without funding, Geoff came in fourth place! For over thirty years Geoff also devoted his life to the preservation of the Alger Theater, founding "The Friends of the Alger Theater." The community group raised the funds to purchase and save the Alger, making it one of the last surviving community theaters in Detroit. Geoff was the Chairman for many years and now leaves "The Friends of the Alger" in very capable hands. Geoff was also known by the community as "the guy on the ladder at the Alger" putting up marquis signs to raise additional fundsin sun, rain, wind or snow. In a Metrotimes interview he was quoted: "It's something dear to my heart, Detroit at one time was a city of neighborhoods, and everybody kind of belonged to their own neighborhood, and each neighborhood had their own neighborhood theater. And most communities don't make any effort to save their theaters." Of great importance in his life was his faith in our Lord and Savior. He was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church serving as Elder for many years until health issues prevented him from participating any longer. When a substitute minister was not available for the service the Elders needed to step in, Geoff did so willingly. His dream had been to deliver the benediction to the congregation: "May the Lord bless you, and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious unto you; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Geoff had also served on the Church Council in various capacities. Geoff and Ruth planned and shopped for the monthly dinners at Bethany which were enjoyed by the congregation. Together they also conducted the Bethany School's Roller Skating Program each Friday evening for over 10 years entertaining countless students each week. Geoff is survived by his wife Ruth, daughters Genevieve and Katherine, sister Marjo Scardino, brother Christopher Gowman, sister in law Inge Gaenssle, brother in law John Gaenssle, niece Colette, nephews Nathan Gaenssle & Paul Scardino, loving caregiver for one blessed year Lee Green and last but not least his best friend Babycakes. A memorial service will be held on January 14th at noon. The location will be Bethany Lutheran Church, 11475 East Outer Drive, Detroit 48224. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Bethany Lutheran Church or The Friends of the Alger Theater, P.O. Box 241183, Detroit, MI 48224.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236