Richard W. Bowers Sr

YORK Richard W. Bowers, Sr., 84, of York, Pa. entered into God\'s eternal rest Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Born April 26, 1926 in Spring Lake, N.J., he was raised by his maternal grandparents William Henry and Charlotte Irene Bowers Survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Mr. Bowers married Evelyn Eileen (Blank) Bowers on June 12, 1948 whom he fell in love with while attending Northeast Bible Institute in Green Lane, Pa. While there he was president of his junior and senior class. He continued his education and received his bachelor\'s degree in education from Southeastern University, in Lakeland, Fla., and later received his master\'s degree in education administration from Stetson University, in Deland, Fla. He is survived by his three children, Joyce Charlene Foster and husband, Jimmie A. Foster, Sr., Richard William Bowers, Jr. and wife, Mary M. Bowers, and Jeanne Lorraine Bair and husband, Gregory W. Bair I. He is survived by his 8 grandchildren including Jennifer (Bowers) Zahir, Jimmie Allen Foster, Jr., Gregory Wayne Bair II, Christopher Michael Foster, Lora Eileen (Foster) Workinger, Lauren Michelle (Foster) McCullough, Sierra Nicole Bair, and Carole Lee Bowers, and their spouses and soon-to-be spouses; 9 great-grandchildren including Rachel Cartledge, Samuel Zahir, Abigail Bowers, R. William Bowers IV, Jonathan Bowers, Olivia Bair, Collin Foster, Samuel Foster and Dana Foster. He also has three more great-grandchildren on the way. He is survived by his younger brother David Wesley Eldridge and wife, Marina of Lakeland, Fla. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald P. Eldridge, and sister, Esther Scorben Baldwin, his daughter Judith Darlene Bowers, and grandsons Jeffrey Scott Foster and Richard William Bowers III. Mr. Bowers was a born teacher and taught many grade levels, later to become a school administrator and principal. He was a talented writer of music and poetry and learned to play the piano by ear. At the age of 18, he was the organist at Highway Tabernacle Church in Philadelphia. He was a talented singer. Mr. Bowers established mission churches in Maryland and West Virginia and was very active in Christian mission work throughout his life. He was also instrumental as one of the founders of the Christian School of York. He was the first librarian of Kreutz Creek Valley Library, and the owner of Richard\'s Book Nook at York\'s Central Market. He was a former director of Red Lion Senior Center, newspaper columnist for the York Daily Record for 23 years, and he was the host of the television show \'My Place\' on WGCB-TV for almost a decade. He was member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in York, Pa. and was an honorary member of the Rotary Club of York. No writing on Mr. Bowers would be complete without a mention of his wonderful sense of humor and wit, and his incredible ability to listen and help make sense of a difficult situation. He truly helped to make the world a better place. Donations may be made to Eileen Bowers, C/O M&T Bank to help defray the cost of the funeral service. Donations may be dropped off at any local M&T Bank branch office. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, March 28, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 397 Tyler Run Road, York, Pa. Officiating will be Rev. Jon L. Bausman. A public visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be held in Mt. Rose Cemetery. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd, York, is in charge of arrangements.