Richard Howard Bowers

Forever in our hearts, Richard Howard Bowers passed away peacefully on July 19th, 2024. Richard was born on October 19, 1924 in Portland, Oregon to Mildred Laura (Howard) Bowers and James Jennings Bowers. 

 Richard moved a lot as a kid, which helped him learn the value of making new friends wherever he went throughout his life. He served in the Army from March 1943 to October 1943; discharged after boot camp due to asthma. He started a career in the dairy industry and as he joked when telling the story, he quickly realized cows don’t have holidays and decided this was not the career path for him. He then went to work for the Dohrman Hotel Supply company and in 1977 started his own business, Bowers and Associates. Richard thoroughly enjoyed working in Contract Sales and Facilitation in the hotel and hospitality industry for many years. Richard retired in 2001 and in 2003 he was persuaded by one of his friends to go to work for the Denali Princess Hotel in Alaska for the summer; he loved it and said, “that was the best summer I ever had.” 

 Richard met his wife, Suzanne “Suzy” Robinson Bowers in 1972 in Seattle. They enjoyed many years traveling together and enjoyed living retirement life in Mesquite, Nevada where they loved playing dominoes, joining friends for breakfast every Saturday and being a part of a friends’ dinner group. Richard’s hobbies included boating, water skiing, and sailing; he most especially enjoyed boating in British Columbia. He also loved traveling and he and Suzy went on many cruises and trips together. Richard also enjoyed traveling with his family and seeing them for holidays and special visits. 

 Richard was a proud father of 4 children; Son, Alan Bowers (Karen) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Daughter, Eleanor Hansen (Scott) of Lacy, Washington, Daughter, Lynn Bowers of Santa Rosa, California, and Daughter, Pamela Bowers, who predeceased him in death. Richard loved his many grandchildren, Janelle Bowers, Allison Bowers, Melanie Stauffer, Kendra Reiger, Jeff Hansen, Greg Betcher, Jon Betcher and great-grandchildren Trey, Evan and Ryan Stauffer, Joshua, Mollie, and Sophie Betcher and Nina Leveritte, Rhiannon Bowers and Daniel and Brooke Betcher. Richard had one brother-in-law Thad Robinson (Billie) of South Beach, Oregon. 

 Anyone lucky enough to know Richard knew he was someone special. He was beloved by his family and many longtime friends whom he cherished. In his final days he shared how many of his friends had become family and were incredibly dear to him. He also reminisced how every moment he spent with his children and family meant everything to him.

 Richard will be cremated and interred in our hearts. A celebration of life service will be held in the fall near Richard’s birthday. 

 In lieu of flowers, Richard asked that memorial gifts be sent to Mesa View Hospice, 330 Falcon Ridge Parkway, Bldg 200, Suite A, Mesquite, Nevada 89027. He was incredibly grateful to the staff for the wonderful care and support they gave to him and Suzy. Richard and Suzy were also profoundly grateful to the staff at Bee Hive Homes for the incredible care they took of Richard the past couple months of Richard’s life. We invite family and friends to leave condolences or memories at www.starmortuary.com