Gregory Merle Bowlby

Greg had an incredible life! His late parents, Thomas B. Bowlby and Pauline R. Bowlby, gave birth to their first child, Gregory, on October 18, 1953 in Elmira, New York.

Greg received his bachelor’s degree at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT then pursued his career with the US Coast Guard for seven years before he decided to become a Huey and a Black Hawk (UH-60) aviator with the Maine Army National Guard Charlie Company 1/126 Air Ambulance in Bangor, Maine. As an aviator, a medevac pilot and an instructional pilot with thousands of miles flight time, he was honorably discharged from the Guard December 31, 2009 after 27 years as Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gregory M. Bowlby. He had a total of 34 years of service with the Armed Services.

The Bowlby Family is sending a “shout out” to all of his friends and fellow service men and women during his career in the 126th Unit. He loved and respected all of you especially during his two 12-months tours (2003 & 2008) in Iraq. Greg deservedly received the Bronze Star medal, the Air medal, the Army Commendation medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal and so many more medals. His whole family is extremely proud of him.

In his post-retirement years since July 2011, he volunteered his services to the South Platte Park, a natural open space along the South Platte River in Littleton, Colorado. He welcomed guests at the front desk of the Nature Center answering questions and giving tours, and he helped with natural resource management projects like removing invasive plants, planting native trees, maintaining trails, and being a big part of the volunteer community. He contributed over 1600 hours of service. Whenever you had a conversation with Greg, he would always fondly talk about the events and/or the wildlife he experienced at the Nature Center.

Greg married Linda Rudge Bowlby in 2004. It was love at first sight for the two of them. They traveled extensively and enjoyed many new adventures together. They moved to Littleton, Colorado from Carmel, Maine in 2010. Greg is survived by four of his and Linda’s kids who live in Colorado and Japan. Greg’s two beloved sons; Michael Bowlby and his wife Kimberly Bowlby, and Thomas Bowlby. They live in Colorado. Greg’s stepdaughter and step-grandchildren also live in Colorado; Melissa Upchurch and her two children, Jackson Upchurch and Lilah Upchurch. Greg’s stepson, Lee Childers, lives in Shizuoka, Japan with his wife, Miki Kubodera. Greg is also survived by his four siblings all living in upstate New York. They are his sister, Susan MacLennan and her husband, Scot MacLennan; his brother, Jeff Bowlby and his wife, Liz Bowlby; his sister, Karen Bowlby and her wife, Donna Burke; and his brother, Scott Bowlby. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews all living in upstate New York. His family will miss him dearly.

Greg also had many interests. He loved to read. He loved geology, astronomy, flying, sailing, hiking, telling stories (sometimes slightly exaggerated stories). He was an intelligent man. Loved and admired by many.

Greg will be laid to rest on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Blvd, Denver, Colorado. If you can attend, please meet at the cemetery at 2:15 in the WHITE staging area. He will be honored with a full Military Honor service in the BRAVO shelter.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to see contributions made to the South Platte Park Fund to be used to continue a reforestation plan in the cottonwood forest that Greg was helping with. Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/42aWmJ8, or checks can be made out to South Platte Park, Attn: Skot, 3000 W Carson Dr. Littleton, CO 80120. Please specify “In honor of Greg Bowlby” to ensure funds are accurately attributed. You can learn more about the park at www.ssprd.org/nature.