David Edward Bowers

""There was a fusion reaction at the center of the sun…""
This is how all of our father's stories started.
And he had a lot of stories.
David Edward Bowers was born on July 14, 1959 in Ilion, NY. In his life he was many things to many people, as complicated humans generally are. Most knew him as a funny, sardonic storyteller; quick with words and happiest with an audience. Others knew him to be easily frustrated and intimidating when angry, both are true.
At the end of his life he lived in Salem, Massachusetts with his eldest daughter, Kate. She knew him to be sweet and patient, abrupt and frustrated, resilient and overwhelmed - sometimes all at once. He was sad and scared most days, but he always found the wherewithal to get her, her kids, or himself to appointments as needed. Or just to hover in the nearest available doorway for a while before asking, ""Can I get you anything?""
His next child, Sarah remembers Dave telling her things, illustrating how something worked from her earliest years. He taught her, her first curse word, then taught her to say ""Hey buddy"" instead. They practiced both tandem and synchronized naps during football games and he showed her the importance of balancing work and play. Later in life even (or perhaps especially) in times of stress there were always jokes and board games. No one ever ever beat him at Monopoly. Ever.
Mary, the youngest remembers his rules:
• If it sticks to the ceiling, you don't have to eat it.
• If you catch it, you can keep it.
• Never leave the house wearing sweatpants.
• Always leave your glasses on a flat surface upside down.
They went to the library and read books aloud to each other and created terrible puns. He taught her how to find a good story in any situation.
Dave also lived with Kate's Husband, Willem and his four grandchildren. Willem benefitted from someone else in the house who talked about 70's music, geeked out over science and teased Kate. Emily remembers throwing rocks off the bridge in NH and (kind of) learning to drive. Jacob will miss him always sharing starburst candy. Isaac loved being able to play on his computer on Sunday nights. Danielle made a dream catcher with him - twice, because it fell apart the first time. All four will miss the way he could always make them laugh.

He recently visited his father, Edward, in Florida. He said his visit with his dad to the Kennedy Space Center was the happiest time he had had in months. He had three sisters- Mary, Sue, and Judy- and two former wives - Pam and Wanda. Each of them and their families remember him in their own ways and with their own stories.

Dave died suddenly on April 15, 2019. He had a reputation for being a jokester and a storyteller. We miss him and wish we could hear another story, but now his fear and wait are over.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name here: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/donate/ There will be a memorial service in Salem, MA in May. All are welcome. Please contact Kate Bowers Wallinga through Facebook for more information.

You may also consider donating to the Salem Public Library where Dave, an avid reader, most recently continued his lifelong library patronage. Use the following link: http://www.splfoundation.org/donate-today.html and please include David's name when making a donation.