Robert D. Bowen

February 8, 1950 - December 31, 2017

Robert Dean Bowen was born February 8, 1950, in Lexington, Kentucky, where his par-ents, Don and Elda Rose Bowen, were attending Asbury Theological Seminary. At the tender age of 18 months, Bob went to Brazil where his parents were to serve as missionaries for the next 10 years. While there, Bob attended public school and the Lord began to develop Bob’s heart for the poor. Knowing his classmates had little to eat at home, Bob would often invite them home with him for meals. This would be a lifelong habit of Bob’s. He never saw a hungry person he didn’t feed. When his family relocated to the United States in 1962, Bob lived in Michigan, Califor-nia, and then Indiana where he graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1968. Azusa Pacific University was his choice for college. He continued his love for missions while there working with Carolyn Koons to organize the very first Mexicali Outreach to take students from the university to Mexico during spring break. 40 years later that out-reach continues. It can never be estimated how many students have been impacted by this opportunity to see needs and to serve. Bob graduated from Azusa Pacific with a degree in psychology and then a Master’s de-gree in Marriage and Family counseling.For the next 30 years Bob worked in various settings as a counselor and was in private practice for a large period of that time. As a counselor, his impact on the personal lives of his clients was enormous but he also never failed to bring in a spiritual element and was able to see many clients accept the Lord or return to a walk with the Lord. Bob always encouraged his clients to find a body of believers where they could grow spiritually. It was a regular occasion to meet old cli-ents and to have them tell him about the difference he had made in their lives. In 1997, Bob began working at Rancho Cucamonga High School as a guidance counse-lor where he remained until his retirement in 2013. As a guidance counselor, Bob worked with the students in all aspects of their academic life but also always made him-self available for personal problems or to just be a listening ear. His door was also open for the staff at the high school and he considered it an honor when they shared their personal journeys with him or came to him for advice. Missions was always close to Bob’s heart. During his college years, he spent 6 weeks in Africa on a mission trip, worked with the Mexicali Outreach at Azusa Pacific, and then began taking groups of people from his church down to Maneadero, Mexico, to pass out food, clothing and to present the gospel. Helping Hands of Mexico was a passion for many years as he introduced hundreds of people to missions by giving them the oppor-tunity to serve the poor and needy. Bob would pick food up from Vons and Alpha Beta warehouses at 4 in the morning and then take it to Mexico to be distributed. This was a monthly occurrence done cheerfully and enthusiastically. His love of learning never stopped. In addition to his B.A. Degree and his M.A. Degree, Bob enrolled in King’s Seminary and received a Master of Practical Theology Degree in 2006. He attended the Water of Life School of Ministry as a student, graduating with the first class in 2012. In addition to completing the School, he also served as a facilita-tor and instructor for several years. In 2006 Bob was accepted as a chaplain for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s De-partment and spent 10 years serving the needs of the officers and those with whom he came in contact. The department was an important part of his life. Bob was on call at any time there was a need for a chaplain and got many calls in the middle of the night. He was always honored to be able to be of help. And of course the ride-alongs were great, especially if there was a pursuit with speed involved! Another highlight of Bob’s life was his ordination in 2004. He was pleased to have that as it gave him more credibility as he served in Mexico. It also continued Bob’s heritage since he was now the fifth generation of pastors in his family! This is a heritage he proudly passes along to his children and grandchildren. It was also an extension of the pastor’s heart he already had which was exemplified as he visited people in jail, people in the hospital, as he led a small group, spent time with those having difficulties, mailed Bibles or books to anybody he thought would appreciate it, and just loved the people around him. But more than anything Bob loved his family! His children and grandchildren were a source of pride and joy. He loved talking about them to whoever was interested. Play-ing with the grandkids, taking them to Toys R Us for new Lego sets, or just watching them delighted his heart like nothing else. He leaves his wife, Sandra (Van Huss); his children, Jason Bowen, Rachel Brogie and Brent Bowen; his stepchildren, Carole Sage and William (Bill) Heim; 12 grandchildren and four great granddaughters. He is also survived by his mother, Elda Rose Bowen; two sisters, Luanna Bowen and Arla Ide; and a niece and nephew. He will live on forever in their memories of all the good times with Bob. And, most importantly, Bob loved the Lord….!