Dr. Donald E. Bowen Passes

BOWEN, Donald Eyre, M.D. 98, of Weston, died April 1st. Born in West Newton, the son of Gertrude (Gammons) and Robert S. Bowen, he attended Newton public schools. Dr. Bowen worked his way through Tufts College and Tufts Medical School, graduating in 1939. In his youth he played the violin, ran track, and was active in the Order of DeMolay, receiving the Legion of Honor. Prior to World War II service as a flight surgeon with the Army Air Corps, Dr. Bowen was the sole physician for 18 lumber camps in N.H. and Maine. Upon returning to W. Newton, he established a family practice while completing a psychiatric residency. In 1954 he began a 35-year practice in psychiatry. Dr. Bowen was a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, served as Chief of Psychiatry, and as President of Medical Staff at Newton-Wellesley Hospital (where he had been an orderly in the 1930s). After retiring, Dr. Bowen volunteered in the chaplain's office of the hospital. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Margaret S. Bowen, 3 children and their spouses, William (Frances), Lawrence (Sharleen), Nancy (Hathaway), 6 granddaughters and spouses, and 4 great-grandchildren.