Norman Earl Gowin

Born in Piasa Township, Illinois on April 28, 1924 to Leslie and Freda Gowin, Norman graduated from Jersey Township High School and went on to Technical School in California. He served proudly as a Private First Class with the 394th Infantry in Germany until the end of WWII, receiving the Expert and Combat Infantryman Badges, Overseas Service Bars, European Campaign Medal with Three Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the GI Bill, received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1950, and was recognized on the Bronze Tablet for students who graduated with Honors at the top 3% of their class. He enjoyed a successful career in Aeronautical Engineering, starting at Bell Aircraft in Niagara Falls, NY then moving on to Buffalo, NY where he worked for Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory and Falcon Research & Development. In 1977 he moved with his family to the Seattle area, where he worked for The Boeing Company for thirteen years before retiring. In his personal time, Norman enjoyed flying, and was a proud member of the Soaring Society of America. He liked many sports, especially baseball. Norman was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed wild bird identification. Each Fall, the family would go to photograph the changing leaves in Western New York and the Canadian geese migrating south for the Winter. He and his wife traveled during retirement, driving across the country many times to visit with family and friends.

His survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Helen; daughters, Nancy (Philip) Maher of Surprise, AZ, and Lisa (Dan) Fugate of Kirkland, WA; grandchildren, John (Heidi) Maher, Julie (Anthony) Lettieri, James (Marika) Fugate, and Adam Fugate; great-grandsons, John Ryan and Collin Maher; sister, Joyce (George) Tappy; brothers, Raymond, Rev. Donald (Evelyn), Wilbur (Meda), Robert (Ann), and Ronald (Pam) Gowin; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mildred Fritz, and grandson Jeffrey Maher.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12 at Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Bellevue, WA. Inurnment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.

Memorials may be directed to The American Cancer Society or Seattle Children’s Hospital (Uncompensated Care Fund). The family wishes to thank all of our friends and family who took the time to visit, send cards & well wishes, and treats for Norman. Thank you also to Evergreen Hospice.