Bowen, Robert Dewayne

Robert Dewayne Bowen, 73, of Pearisburg, Va. passed away at his home Saturday morning, October 18, 2008. Mr. Bowen was born on July 29, 1935 in Cherokee, Okla. He was a son of the late Orval and Nellie Lou Culver Bowen. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Dennis Bowen and William D. Bowen.

Mr. Bowen was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg. He had a great love of his Catholic faith and was actually discerning a call to the priesthood when he met the lovely woman who would be his wife for more than 43 years during which they raised five children. He taught his family how to live and how to love, and his greatest joy in life was his family. He was an avid, or is that “rabid” fan of the Oklahoma Sooner football team. He and his wife were the owners and operators of The Music Shop in Blacksburg for over 30 years. He was also an accomplished classical guitarist and was a member of the Mood Makers Dance Band in the 1970’s and 80’s.

He is survived by his wife of more than 43 years, Phyllis Marie Loudy Allen Bowen, of Pearisburg; two daughters, Iva Jean Allen Van Hemert and husband, John, of Pearisburg, Joaquita Bowen Martin and husband, Bryan, of Chugiak, Alaska; three sons, John A. Allen and wife, Nancy, of Roanoke, J. Tracy Allen and wife, Alice, Joaquin D. Bowen and wife, Leanne, of Pulaski; two sisters, Mary Lou Etzel and husband, Nat, of Canby, Ore., Judy Messelink and husband, Bert, of Nashville, Tenn.; eight grandchildren, Private Nathan Allen, USMC, Jesse Allen and wife, Caryl, Christine, and William Allen, Justin and Katrina Van Hemert, Calvin and Katy Martin; and one great-granddaughter, Alexia Allen.

A Holy Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg, Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. with Father John Prinelli officiating. A private family interment will proceed the Mass. The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Holy Family Catholic Church, 516 Mason Court Dr., Pearisburg, VA 24134. Online condolences can be sent to the family at givensfuneralhome.com.