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The Life of Frederick Lucas Bowden

BOWDEN FREDERICK LUCAS Devoted father and husband, on April 9, 2021 after a brief illness. Mr. Bowden was raised in Drexel Hill and attended Upper Darby High School. Mr. Bowden was a 1948 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and the Friars Honor Society, and a proud "Munger Man" as manager of the Quakers football team in 1946 and 1947 under Coach George Munger. He served as Secretary of the Varsity Club for many years. Fred met Joan Frances Gehrke on Long Beach Island where he spent his childhood summers sailing and rowing with his brothers and friends. They married in 1952 and enjoyed 47 years together, raising and educating 5 children in Radnor before Joan passed away in 1999. Mr. Bowden served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict, including sea duty as an Ensign on the USS Randall (APA224) and as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade on the Admiral's Staff of NATO in Naples, Italy. Mr. Bowden pursued a career as a stockbroker at Eastman Dillon and American Securities in Philadelphia and later as a Trust Officer at First Pennsylvania Bank. He invented and marketed the "Peter Piper's Fickle Pickles" puzzle under the Jenncraft brand and was granted a US Patent for a self-tightening lug wrench at age 92. A talented pianist, he took great joy in playing the polonaises of Chopin but also loved to improvise on popular tunes of the 30s and 40s in the styles of Frankie Carle and Eddie Duchin. Mr. Bowden lived in the same residence in Radnor for over 60 years. He was the last surviving brother of the four sons of Francis J. Bowden and Thirza Lucas Bowden. He is survived by sons Richard (Beth), Thomas (Constance), Frederick Jr. (Jennifer), and Nicholas, and his daughter Jennifer (Richard), along with nine grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Martins Church Altar Guild, 400 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087. https://www.stmartinsradnor.org (610) 688-4830

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Military Service

War:
Korea
Branch:
United States Navy
Rank:
Lieutenant Junior Grade