A Celebration of Life

[weegegirl 2]

Please join me in celebrating the life of my father, Andrew Hunter Bowman. I held his hand today as he took his last breath and joined his brothers and sisters in the paradise up above.

A huge hug and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support over these last few months.

Cheers to a great man who loved airplanes, good wine, great cooking, brewing beer, and spending time with his enormous family.



Andrew Hunter Bowman

Andrew Hunter Bowman, 84, of New Brighton, PA passed away on January 23, 2006. He was born April 20, 1921 in Cincinnati, OH son of Luther Lee Bowman and Elizabeth Pringle "Bessie" Brunson. He served honorably in the Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to American Airlines in Washington, D.C. where he was considered an innovative manager during the early years of commercial airline growth. He was asked to join Marine Midland Bank in New York City where he became the youngest president in the bank's history and worked with many of America's leading businessmen. He became a prominent businessman in New Canaan, CT where he founded the Darby Company, a very successful real estate and insurance company. His greatest strengths were his creativity and determination, and he innovated many successful companies as a business consultant, investment banker and entrepreneur. During the 1960s, he was listed in Who's Who. He was an avid and accomplished cook. His active interest in business issues as well as political and social causes made him many friends. His greatest passion was his family, and he took great joy from being in their lives and from their successes.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Berner Bowman and by his children Pringle Pfeifer of Harbor Springs, MI and her husband Henry and grandson Henry, Andrew Hunter Bowman of Harbor Springs, MI and his wife Mary D. and grandchildren Andrew and Jennifer Ryzner of Juneau, AK and her husband Robert, and Andrew, Mathias Boerner Bowman of Scarsdale, NY and his wife Penny and grandchildren David, Luke and Emily, Rowena Conahan of Ann Arbor, MI and her husband Paul and grandchildren Kai and Noelani, Carolyn Hunter of Vienna, VA and her husband Chris and grandchildren Jeffrey and Jack, Joseph Bowman of Moscow, Russia and his wife Victoria, and Elizabeth Bowman of Washington, D.C.

He is also survived by his nephews Alfred Mynderse Goldman, Jr of Olney, MD, Thomas Fauntleroy Brunson of Newport Beach, CA, and Lucian Lee Bowman of London, England. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Lucian Lee Bowman and Joseph Pringle Clark Bowman, and his sisters Rowena Clark Fauntleroy and Sarah Conrad "Connie" Fauntleroy. Arrangements are being handled by the Noll Funeral Home in Beaver, PA, and burial will be in Harbor Springs, MI.

[GiaKrembs 0]

My sincere condolences to you and your family. May he rest in peace now.

g

Raddest ho this side of Jersey #1 - rest in peace brother
Beth lost her cherry and I missed it
.... you want access to it, but you don't want to break it.

[RhondaLea 4]

I'm very sorry for your loss, Liz.

rl

[jjiimmyyt 0]

Sorry for your loss, I'm raising my glass in his memory.

"This isn't an iron lung, people. You can actually disconnect and not die." -Dave

[CSpenceFLY 1]

Sounds like a Great man.Also sounds like you have a good grip on life.I hope the rest of your family can join in celebrating his life.


.

[Amanda965 0]

Liz,

looking at the obituary of your father, it is obvious that he has lived a wonderful life. With all of the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews- I am sure that he had so much joy and happiness and felt so fullfilled taking his last breath.

It is going to be hard, but focus on the wonderful memories that you had together and continue to remember him through your family and the things that you liked doing together.

I know you had asked about hospices earlier: do not be afraid to take advantage of the benefits if he was enrolled. Your entire family is entitled to grief and bereavement counseling (if needed) for 13 months.

I am sure he is up above, gleaming down at you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Big hug,
Amanda

Blue skies and SAFE landings!
~Amanda~

[Michele 1]

Liz, how free he is now. How perfect, and how happy, and how free. And how blessed he was to have you there; to have you be with him during his last moments made them easier, I'm sure.

My love is sent to you. Know that the separation is only for a bit; that again, you will see him. And until then, you have his smile and his love to rely on. Hold fast to those, Liz, and know that there will be more to come.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[QuickDraw 0]

Quote

Liz,

looking at the obituary of your father, it is obvious that he has lived a wonderful life. With all of the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews- I am sure that he had so much joy and happiness and felt so fullfilled taking his last breath.

It is going to be hard, but focus on the wonderful memories that you had together and continue to remember him through your family and the things that you liked doing together.

Very nicely put.

My condolences to you and your family.

[rhanold 0]

I am so sorry to hear about your father's passing. It sounds like he had a full life surrounded by family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

~Ryan

[rwieder 0]

I am very saddened by your loss. I know i will soon lose my parents and mom and dad in law as well, and i'm NOT looking forward to it.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Take Care, God Bless you and your family in this time of loss in your family.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[ccowden 0]

I raise my glass tonight to your father and pass along my sincere condolences to you and your family.

Beautiful post, Liz. I am sure he is smiling down on you tonight.

[weegegirl 2]

Thank you Chris, and everyone.

He truely was a wonderful and acomplished man. The obituary only lists about 10% of his acomplishments. It doesn't even mention the fact that he owned a brewery in Amsterdam, which I think is one of the coolest things.

The last conversation we had... he woke for a second and looked up and said "Hi, Darlin," to me. I was drinking a beer and said, "Hi, Dad! Want a beer?" And he clearly said "YES!" And that was that. It was warming, especially if you knew him.

Before he took very ill, he had finally decided he REALLY wanted to make a skydive. We never got that opportunity. So if any of you jump this weekend, think of him and dedicate a jump to him. That would mean a lot. I will carry a picture of him in my jumpsuit from now on and he will be looking over all of us and protecting us while we play.

Thank you for your thoughts. They mean the world to me in these tough times.

[Usetawuz 1]

He's with you forever. Keep his memory alive. Condolences to you and your family.

_________________________________________
The older I get, the better I was!

[jimmytavino 16]

.... we feel like this >>> ...... when those we love , leave us.....

.... we feel like this >>>never far away and that
they will remain in our hearts and in our minds, always..........
As your Dad is now at peace, may the same be, with you and with your family.....
...my condolences...............

jimmy from NewYork

[ladyskydiver 0]

My condolences to you and your family.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[cocheese 0]

tears and cheers.

[2fat2fly 0]

This man should be mourned, and will be. He should also be remembered fondly and in good spirits, which it seems like you are. The greatest testament to his life will be the joy that those who knew him share while recalling him. Cry, he deserves it, but also laugh because he earned a joyous legacy

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[weegegirl 2]

Quote

This man should be mourned, and will be. He should also be remembered fondly and in good spirits, which it seems like you are. The greatest testament to his life will be the joy that those who knew him share while recalling him. Cry, he deserves it, but also laugh because he earned a joyous legacy

thanks. powerful thoughts. you rock.

i miss my daddy right now, but i know that the time i got with him, especially at the end, was a gift that nobody but God could provide.

[BillyVance 35]

A good man, for he raised a good daughter. My condolences.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Liz you've lived through one of most people's greatest fears...I only pray that when the day comes, others can accept the pain of losing a father as gracefully and with such an open heart as you are.

Love to you. Stay strong.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

This is a beautiful obituary, Liz. Thank you for sharing it.

My heartfelt condolences to you. You are a good daughter, who obviously loved/love him very much. May your father rest in peace, and may you eventually find peace in your heart. Much love and prayers for you and for your family at this difficult moment, Liz.

[gordy 0]

Liz, that was really well written, my condolences to you and your family.

[Peej 0]

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.


My sincerest condolences Liz, just know that he's in a better place now and the two of you will be together again one day.

Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky

[wmw999 2,589]

I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm happy you were able to share and help in one of your father's most important moments.

That's a wonderful obituary.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Muenkel 0]

Hey Liz,

My condolences to you and your family. My prayers go out to you during this difficult time. I know from experience, you will always take great comfort from being there at his last breath.

Chris

_________________________________________
Chris