Obituary: Thayer, Bowen A.
Age 90
(Age 90) Bowen went home to be with the Lord on December 2, 2013.
Born January 14, 1923 in Seattle, WA, Bowen started dating his future bride, Bette Christenson, at the age of 15.
They eventually married in 1946, following his deployment overseas as a member of the 1120 Military Police Company, serving in England and France for thirty months.
Bowen’s career in banking was spent with Washington Mutual Savings Bank.
He graduated from the American Institute of Banking, as well as the Graduate School of Savings Banking, graduating with honors from Brown University.
He retired from Washington Mutual, after 32 years, as Vice President and Regional Manager of Eastern Washington.
Following his retirement from the bank, Bowen served 11 years as office manager of the Spokane Shrine, and concurrently, 16 years with the Scottish Rite office.
He was a 33rd Degree Mason.
Bowen was very civic minded and served the Spokane community in so many ways.
He was past treasurer of Spokane County Republican Central Committee and was the recipient of the Exchange Club “Golden Deeds” award.
He headed Spokane United Way, United Way Campaign, United Way of Washington, Spokane Red Cross, Western Area Advisory Council of the American Red Cross, Shrine Hospital, Spokane Central Lions Club, Seattle American Institute of Banking, Spokane Mental Health, Business Development Corporation, Spokane International Exchange Council, Deaconess Hospital Foundation, Liberty Lake Property Owners, Rose Croix of Scottish Rite, and Red Cross of Constantine.
In addition, Bowen served on the boards of Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Expo‘74, Spokane Lilac Festival, Washington Dental Service, Washington Dental Service Foundation, Girl Scout Council, Deaconess Hospital, Empire Health Services, Spokane Unlimited, Inland Empire Zoological Society, and Washington State Association of Mental Health.
Bowen was an amazing husband, dad, grampa, and great-grampa.
He is survived by his bride of 67 years, Bette; his three daughters, Wendy (Roy) Burns, Julie Arlyne, and Jan (Bill) Frisch; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Bowen was a member of Valley Bible Church.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at the church (3021 S. Sullivan Road) on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11:00 am.
Memorials may be made to Shrine Hospital, 911 W. 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204.