Richard E. Bower

Richard E. Bower, Jr, age 86, from Linn, began his heavenly journey on July 24, 2021, at the VA Hospital in Columbia. 

He was born March 27, 1935, in Courtois, Missouri, the son of Richard E. and Seline (Henslee) Bower.

Richard attended school in Wellston. He was called to service in the United States Army in 1958 and served four years to 1962. Before his service to his country, Richard was married to Iva Withers on October 27, 1955.  Richard and Iva celebrated 65 years of marriage last fall. 

Richard worked as an expeditor for the Boeing Company in St. Louis and retired from there in 1993.  For the last 19 years he worked at Boeing, he commuted to St. Louis from Linn every day.

Richard and Iva owned their own craft business after retirement for many years, selling crafts from their home and at the many craft shows they attended. 

He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren’s school activities and didn’t miss very many of those events over the years.  Richard and Iva enjoyed traveling, especially going on cruises, but his special place was always Gulf Shores.  He enjoyed taking his family on fishing and camping trips and in his spare time doing crossword puzzles. When the Cardinals were on television, he was always there watching his favorite team.

Surviving in addition to his wife Iva (Withers) Bower, are his daughter, Tracie Southerlin of Linn; sons Timothy Bower and his wife Suann of Linn, and Richard E. Bower, III and his wife Helen of Westphalia. Nine grandchildren, Jeremy and Rosemarie Maroney of Ottawa, Kansas, Jessica and David Spencer of Raleigh, North Carolina, Michael Bower of Springfield, Melanie and Jacob Bayless of Jefferson City, Emma and Addison Bower of Westphalia. Four great grandchildren, Dominic Maroney, Andrew and Avery Spencer, and Weston Bayless. 

In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his son-in-law, Michael Southerlin.

A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held at a later date.