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OBITUARY
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OBITUARY |
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LINDEN BATES BOWMAN JR
March 09, 1944 - May 06, 2007 Linden Bates Bowman, Jr., of Friday Harbor, Washington, died peacefully at home, Sunday, May 06, 2007, in the loving embrace of Sonja Zarek, his companion of 15 years. Lin was born March 09, 1944, in Portland, Oregon, to Linden Bates Bowman, Sr., and Doreen Plympton. He attended Ainsworth Elementary, Catlin Gabel and Lincoln High Schools in Portland. Lin strapped on his first skis at age 3, summited Mt. Hood 11 times (the first at 11 years of age), worked his way through school in logging camps and as a Lineman for IBEW. He loved to reminisce about stringing the power lines high above the Deschutes River Canyon in Oregon. He completed his training as a Navy Recruit at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, Ca., in 1965, qualifying for the Underwater Demolition Team, but chose, instead, to continue his education. He gained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Portland State University then a Juris Doctorate from Western State University College of Law, San Diego, while working as a University Admissions Counselor and a Mobile Home Park Manager. Lin practiced Law at the defense bar in Ventura, Ca., but found his business talents more suited to Real Estate. He eventually became a Managing General Partner of Pioneer Mobile Home Park in Milpitas, Ca.
Lin's life was a balance of action and intellect. He was equally fond of rigorous debate, the mental challenges of Duplicate Bridge, and the physical challenges of skiing, tennis, golf, duck hunting and fishing. He was a FAA licensed Private Pilot and a USCG Master Mariner. He thrived on landscaping, tending burn piles, and building rock walls and ponds on his San Juan Island property. He loved working in stained glass, researching his family geneology, especially the Armstrong Clan on his mother's side, and studying history, philosophy, physics, and the nature of consciousness. A resident of Friday Harbor for 20 years, Lin served on the boards of The San Juan Island Racquet Club, The San Juan Golf and Country Club and The Monday Duplicate Bridge Club. He was a NABC Master, an ACBL Certified Bridge Director and Teacher and, jokingly, an "ALM" ( Almost Life Master of the ACBL) [ short just 6.92 silver points!]. Diagnosed with lung cancer with brain metastasis in May of 2006 Lin met the challenges of his disease head on with a positive attitude. His heart was full of gratitude for the excellent care he recieved via Inter Island Medical Center and Island's Naturopathic Clinic in Friday Harbor; Island Hospital in Anacortes; United General Hospital in Sedro Wooley; The Northwest Hospital Gamma Knife Center in Seattle, and Skagit Hospice of Mt.Vernon. The volunteer pilots of the San Juan Eagles turned his daily radiation treatments into an adventure. The inspiration of their selfless service plus the ongoing support of friends and family kept his quality of life high and his strength and spirits up so that he was able to enjoy a final flyfishing adventure in New Zealand shortly before his passing. Despite a favorite quote that "A cabin with plenty to eat is better than a hungry castle" Lin focused the love and energy of his last year designing and building his dream home perched on a rocky bluff with his favorite vistas of mountains, sky and water. His chainsaw, backhoe, shovel, pick axe and rake are idle now but his spirit roars on emboldened by his favorite Highland verse from "The Ballad of Johnie Armstrong".
Lin is survived by his companion, Sonja Zarek, brother and sister-in-law John. L and Kathy Bowman, and sisters Molly Bowman and Maude Mottern and their families. A celebration of Lin's life will be held later in the Spring. Memorial gifts may be made to:
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