Dick was born in San Francisco to parents Harry Raymond Bowen and Elizabeth Bowen. The family moved to Southern California shortly after.
Dick attended Black Fox Military School and later graduated from Van Nuys High School. Then he graduated from Valley College.
He worked for his father in the furniture business for many years. He married Helen Suzanne Lawson. From this marriage, he has his children Christopher Allan Bowen, Donald Scott Bowen, and Alicia Bowen Jennings.
In 1974, Dick married Shirley Fleming Brevidoro. Dick became a stepfather to Steven John Brevidoro. Dick began working for Security Pacific Bank and worked there for nineteen years. Dick and Shirley played a lot of tennis together but as was common knowledge, he was an avid tennis player since he was eight years old. His father was a National Tennis Champion from Nebraska. Dick captained teams in Northridge for over ten years; he was most proud of his team that won the USTA 2001 National Championship.
He continued playing at the Pacific Tennis Club and his last few years were enjoyably played at the Westlake Athletic Club. He enjoyed his many friends there.