Obituary of ROBERT BOWDEN

Robert Edward Bowden, 82, of Columbia, South Carolina died Saturday morning April 9, 2011 at the Warriors Walk Hospice in the Dorn VA Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Funeral services will be held at 11am, Wednesday April 13th, 2011 at St. Peters Catholic Church, 1529 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Light Refreshments to follow. Full Military Honors will follow at 1pm at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road Columbia, SC 29229. Mr. Bowden was born March 31, 1929 right before the great depression in Boston, MA. One of 14 children by Mary Olive Bowden. Mr. Bowden enlisted in the United States Army in September 1946. Mr. Bowden served in the Army for over 20 years, receiving the World War II Victory medal and the Army Occupation medal of Japan, Good Conduct medal with 3 loops, and the National Defense Service medal. He retired in March 1967 and lived in Lincoln, Ma for 20 years until retirement to Columbia, South Carolina in 1989. Mr. Bowden is survived by his wife of 60 years, Catherine Dorothy, son Robert Edward Jr. and wife Sheila of Louisville, KY, daughter Catherine Ann Milejczak and husband Victor of Columbia, SC, son John Joseph and wife Meredith of Fairfield, NJ, daughter Susan Rodriguez of Columbia, SC, son Steven Paul and wife Laura of Boston, MA, and daughter Michele Turner and husband Michael of Columbia SC. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Albert, Tina, Troy, Amelia, Robert, Natascha, Blair, Chandler & Cade; and 5 great grandchildren: Andrew, Chloe, Sophia, Kylie & Zavier. Also survived by special friend Mary Borey of Charleston, SC. Robert was a Dental technician by trade until he retired in 1989. His hobbies were stamp collecting, scroll wood-working, and bird watching. His greatest joy were his large family, and many friends from all walks of life. He will be greatly missed. Visiting hours will be Tuesday April 12, 2011 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29209. Rosary to be held at 6pm. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be sent in Mr. Bowden's name to The Fisher House, 11 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, Maryland 20850, or visit www.fisherhouse.org. The Fisher house assists families of injured veterans.