Richard E. Bower

A funeral service for Richard Eugene Bower, 61, was held January 3 at Wheatland United Methodist Church in Wheatland, Wyoming with Lori Moddesitt of the All Saint’s Episcopal Church officiating.

Richard was cremated after the service with his ashes kept with the family. Richard received military honors accorded by the Laramie Peak VFW Post #3358 and Ora Call American Legion Post #10.

Richard, a resident of Wheatland, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 at his home of a heart attack.

He was born on February 10, 1951 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania the son of James E. and Jessie (Nick) Bower Sr.

Richard graduated from Montoursville High School in Montoursville, Pennsylvania in 1969. He served in the United States Marine Corps starting in 1971. Richard was first trained at Paris Island, South Carolina. He served three Tours of Duty in the Western Pacific and five Tours of Duty in the Atlantic. He was a drill Instructor at Paris Island. Richard was honored to be chosen by Wheatland sculptor Carl Jensen to be the model for the Marine Corps Statue for the veteran’s memorial that was unveiled in Thermopolis, Wyoming on Memorial Day, May 26, 2005.

He worked for Burns and McDonald, Chugwater Coop, ERT, and for the Missouri Basin Power Project for 31 years.

He married Shirley Patricia Smith on December 14, 1973. To this union two boys were born; Richard Paul and Micheal Dale Bower. While Richard was serving in the Western Pacific he got a call from the Red Cross that Patricia has passed away in Santa Barbara, California.

After he was discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1979, he moved to Wheatland to take care of Richard Paul and Micheal Dale.

He met Christine Mollie Roman at a Single Club meeting on April 28, 1980. They married on June 26, 1982. Richard was Christine’s “Knight in Shining Armor”. He loved her dearly until his untimely death.

Christine had been involved with showing Morgan horses all of her life. So Richard became involved in with her horses. Christine taught Richard Paul to ride Intrepid Lady Alba and Reed’s Dot Zero. She taught Micheal Dale to ride Intrepid Lady Alba, Reed’s Dot Zero, and to drive Hobnob’s Megan.

He taught Bomber how to whisper and to cowboy dance. His last “Love Bug” was Sammie. She would sleep with him every night in the big red chair.

Richard is survived by his wife, Christine of Wheatland; son, Richard Paul Bower of Gillette, his children, Jesse Micheal, Caleb James, Ashlyn Marnae, and Easton Silas of Cheyenne, Wyoming; son Micheal Dale Bower, his son Jeremy James Bower of Laramie, Wyoming; brother James E. (Pat) Bower of Allentown, Pennsylvania; sisters, Joan Elizabeth (Paul) West of Muncy, Pennsylvania, and Judith Ann (Tommy) Afilini of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania; brother Stephen Allen (Gail) Bower of Danville, Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law, Lou Ann Click, Robin D. Haning, and Lena B. Edmondson, as well as many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Richard is preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond E. and Mabel Bower; parents, James E. and Jessie Bower Sr.; two brothers, Michael David Bower, and David Michael Bower; Shirley P. Ernst, Gale Allen Ernst, and Dale M. Smith.

Serving as honorary pallbearers were Rod Birkle, Blackie Budd, Dale Carr, Don Stevens, Frank Huffer, Donny Evans, and Richard P. Bower.

The family has set up an Engineering Scholarship at the University of Wyoming, in care of Gorman Funeral Homes Platte Chapel, P.O. Box 816, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gorman Funeral Homes Platte Chapel of Wheatland.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.gormanfh.com