Obituary of David Leonard Bowman

April 4, 1935 - Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

April 20, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

David Bowman beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the age of 88 years.

David was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on April 4,1935 the son of Ivy and Leonard Bowman. David attended King George Public School in Prince Albert for 7 years, completing grade 8 at Connaught School in Regina following his dad’s transfer with the RCMP.  He then attended Scott Collegiate, followed by his 1st year of Engineering at Regina College and 2 years of Engineering at University of Saskatchewan.  After transferring in 1958, David graduated with a BSc.in Petroleum Engineering degree from the University of Alberta.

He enjoyed a diverse, challenging and very interesting 40-year career in the Oil and Gas industry in engineering, management, and consulting, retiring in 1998. He was a member of APEGA, CIM, GPAC. CPA, CGA, CARP, and a member of St. James Anglican Church and Silver Springs Golf and Country Club.

He had fond memories of years spent with his growing family and was involved in community hockey, baseball, cubs, and YMCA competitive swimming.

David met his loving wife Arlene, in July 1956. They were married in Frobisher, Saskatchewan in September 1957. For 61 years they were blessed with exceptional togetherness while raising four children, and enjoying the pleasures of family, friends, work, travel, fishing, and much time at their Vancouver Island homes.  Arlene nursed in Regina, Bienfait, Edmonton University Hospital and the Calgary Children’s Hospital. David’s career involved time spent in Edmonton, Stettler, Toronto and Calgary.

Many corporate and personal trips were enjoyed on the continent. However, David and his family always felt most happy when camping or when they were at their vacation homes on Vancouver Island, initially at the Inn of the Sea, Ladysmith area, and later at Hidden Harbour, Campbell River. They explored the entire Island and enjoyed the lifestyle and salmon fishing. Throughout their lives they respected and enjoyed the extreme values and benefits of family and followed their belief that wherever life takes you it begins and ends with family!

David’s favourite prayer:

I pray that I may live to fish

Until my dying day.

And when it comes to my last cast

I then must humbly pray:

When in the Lord’s great landing net

And peacefully asleep

That in his mercy I be judged

Big enough to keep.

David is survived by his son Bob Bowman, daughter Nancy Newcommon, son Jamie (Judy) Bowman; grandchildren Brian Lewis, Randi and Ashley Bowman, Andrea, Brandon and Madison Newcommon, and Joel, Joshua, and Jared Bowman; and his great-grandchildren, Lexi and Levi Lewis. He is also survived by his sister Iris Clements (Peter) and by his brother-in- law Garth Goodwin, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

David was predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Arlene, in 2018, daughter Sharon Lewis in 2009, and grandchildren Brenda and Mark Lewis in 1995.

A private family service will be held at a later date.   If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.MHFH.com.

In living memory of David Bowman, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.