Richard W. Bowie

Richard Witt Bowie, 52, of Dudley, Mo., died Saturday, July 9, 2011 in Stoddard County, Mo. from injuries sustained when the airplane he was piloting crashed.

Mr. Bowie was born Nov. 30, 1958 in Dexter, Mo. He had retired from Union Pacific Railroad, and was a board member for Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport. Mr. Bowie enjoyed spending time with his family, aviation, building airplanes, being with the guys and telling stories and being out on Current River.

On July 19, 1980, he married Melissa Dawn Harper in Sikeston, Mo. She survives.

Other survivors include a son, Benjamin H. Bowie of Salerno, Afghanistan; his mother, Quida Jean Bowie of Puxico, Mo.; a sister, Elizabeth Hartman of London, England; and brothers, Jonathan Roberts and wife Sabra of Puxico, Mo., Clemens F. Peters II and wife Amy of Glennonville, Mo. and Jack Peters and wife Tracy of Poplar Bluff.

His grandparents, Elihue and Eva Bowie who helped raise him, preceded Mr. Bowie in death.

The family invites friends and family to their home at 6386 Old Hwy 60 in Dudley, Mo. after 1:00 p.m. Saturday for a celebration of Mr. Bowie's life. A Memorial Service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Westwood Center, 2445 North Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff with Shelton Smith officiating. Interment will be a private service at the Bowie Family Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport or Dexter Memorial Airport, c/o Cotrell Funeral Service, P.O. Box 548, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902 in Mr. Bowie's Memory.

Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.

Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff, Mo. is in charge of arrangements.