Terry Bowman

04/03/1953 — 07/28/2021

From Benton City, WA | Born in Butte, MT

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Celebration of Life

Starts:
Sat, September 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
Ends:
Sat, September 25, 2021, 4:00 pm
Location:
Events at Sunset
915 Bypass Highway

Richland, WA 99352

Terry Bowman

Terry John Bowman was born on April 3rd, 1953 in Butte, Montana and passed away on July 28th, 2021 in Richland, Washington. He held many residences throughout the states of Idaho, Montana, Michigan, California, Alaska, and Nevada, but eventually settled in Benton City, Washington.

Terry received his Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering with Honors in 1976 from Montana Technological University, and later accomplished earning his Professional Engineer License. He worked in several ore extraction mills throughout his life. Within three years of starting work at a gold mine in Eureka, Nevada, Terry optimized the gold extraction system there. He worked there until the mine closed. Following this, he was employed at the Hanford Area until retiring. He designed and oversaw many of the protection systems that are still in use.

Terry’s family members would describe him as having a “ferocious curiosity for learning.” Terry was passionate about reading and learning, whether it was theoretical physics, ore extraction, politics, music, or anything else that snagged his interest. His favorite author was Robert A. Heinlein. Terry read most, if not all, of Heinlein’s books.

Terry worked for the majority of his life as an Engineer. However, while living in Alaska, Terry took a four-year break from engineering in the 1980s to pursue a personal passion and challenge: computer programming. Terry had a vision to create a programmable logic-controlled pattern making system that was inspired by a novel he read in his youth. He eventually programmed a system that given any point in space would output the blueprints of how to build piping structures, before Computer-Aided Design (CAD) was accessible. His program was written in C-language. Using the program he created, Terry designed and guided fabrication of many artistic metal structures that members of his family still own and are impressed by. He designed spiraled cones that he and his family decorated for Christmas, much to the enjoyment of friends and neighbors.

Growing up in Montana, Terry grew to love camping and hiking. He exposed his son to these activities and was passionate about spending time in nature. He hiked throughout Washington, Oregon, and Montana. Some of his favorite hiking locations included Crater Lake, Mount Rainier’s Pebble Creek trail, and Colchuck. Even after having a diagnosis of lupus for over 30 years, he had the tenacity and stubbornness to continue doing the things that he loved. Throughout the years, his attention to exercise and a healthy diet helped him maintain his physical abilities and keep him outdoors.

When it came to sports, Terry was a very competitive individual. Whether it was bowling, table tennis, chess, or basketball, Terry loved competition. He coached his son’s middle school basketball team, frequented the bowling alley, and always had a chess board ready to play. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears in his youth, but his favorite tam was the Chicago Bulls in the 90’s. After retirement, he tried not to miss even a minute of watching the Olympics.

Terry is sorely missed by his family and friends.  His final days included visits from several of his loved ones. He is survived by his son, Alexander Bowman, his brother, Mike Bowman, and his sisters, Kathy Bowman, Kris Bowman, Gail Nova, Merrianne McDonald, and Jill Bowman, as well as Pam Bowman, Andrew Carpenter, Cindy Bowman, Dick Nova, Wade McDonald and Rick Clarke.

 

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Terry Bowman

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  • Terry was very inquisitive when he found a subject he was in interested in. He was a reliable person who always tried his best. We had thousands of great memories together as a family! His body failed but his mind was sharp, in the end. I am thankful that Terry’s voyage through the ultimate, spiritual realm of God’s universe should allow him to be truly free of pain! I pray that he can be reunited with Anne, Morris, and all the various angels who surround and protect us every day! I told him in the hospital that he just needs to ” feel the love” and he responded only with tears and lifted his arm up. My thoughts and prayers go to all Terry’s loved ones. He was loved and will be truly missed! Pam Bowman

    Pam Bowman
    January 5, 2022
    Pasco
  • I am so sorry I was unable to make it and missed the celebration of life for Terry. I worked and carpooled with Terry for several years. He was a great engineer and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was someone you could trust and who was willing to help in any way he could. He was a kind and considerate individual and was super easy to converse and work with. I was sad to learn that he has passed, and really regret not being able to attend. My sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.

    By the way, I saw his Christmas tree sculpture he made out of stainless steel. Very amazingly cool. The man had talent.

    David Bragg
    September 26, 2021
    Benton City
  • I am so sorry I was unable to make it and missed the celebration of life for Terry. I worked and carpooled with Terry for several years. He was a great engineer and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was someone you could trust and who was willing to help in any way he could. He was a kind and considerate individual and was super easy to converse and work with. I was sad to learn that he has passed, and really regret not being able to attend. My sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.

    By the way, I saw his Christmas tree sculpture he made out of stainless steel. Very amazingly cool. The man had talent.

    Anonymous
    September 26, 2021
  • I am gonna miss you Terry. I valued your friendship and will miss you terribly.

    JAMES W SULLIVAN
    September 25, 2021
    BROOMFIELD
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