Carl Lyle Bowen, nicknamed “Rusty” due to his enviable full head of red hair even at the age of 84, passed away peacefully while surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, August 9, 2018. Deemed to be the true bionic man, he put forth a heroic three week battle against complications suffered after a traumatic fall.This superman was born on February 23, 1934 in his least favorite town of Los Angeles, California to Denzel and Margaret Bowen.Growing up near Watts helped him to become a strong, resilient young man. However, he was grateful when his parents finally moved up to the Pacific Northwest near Seattle.
Coordinated and athletic, Rusty participated in an eclectic range of activities including tap dancing and roller skating in his youth to competitive diving, swimming, and gymnastics in college. However, what he truly adored was the outdoors. Rusty’s adventurous spirit was ignited at an early age. Over the years, Rusty became a skilled hunter, avid camper and backpacker, enthusiastic gardener and masterful fisherman.
In 1956, Rusty graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. Along with earning his teaching credential, he also completed the Army ROTC program. After college, Rusty chose to join the Army. He entered as a Second Lieutenant and worked as a hospital administrator in the Army Medical Service Corp. His tour of duty took him to Germany and around the United States. After his honorable discharge, he transitioned to education. He became a respected PE teacher and successful cross country, track, and swim coach at Chief Sealth High School in Seattle, Washington. Most importantly, this job allowed him to live the outdoorsman life on a regular basis, which included enjoying his own boat and doing commercial fishing for salmon and halibut in his spare time.
After 30 years of teaching, Rusty finally retired. In 1999, he moved up to Whidbey Island, WA. with his soulmate of 48 years, Leah Ann Bowen.This joyful spot became his outdoor stomping grounds for 19 more years.
Throughout his adult life, Rusty exemplified how to live life to the fullest. With the support and tolerance of his wife, Rusty dabbled in various creative pursuits including photography, guitar strumming, rock collecting, clamming, crabbing, chicken farming,turkey raising, beer making, fly tying, salmon smoking and even garlic pickling. Eating onions like apples and pickled garlic cloves were favorite treats for him and may have contributed to his long life and superman powers.
Rusty will be remembered for being a calm leader, protective and devoted husband, and a supportive father. He was a unique, resourceful, steadfast man who some may say had a tough appearing exterior, but he was truly a teddy bear at heart.
Rusty was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Denzel, son Russel, and stepson Michael. He is survived by his wife, Leah Ann, his sister, Patty, his daughters Cathy and Carolyn, his stepdaughters Michelle and Becky, his grandchildren, Justin, Casey, Devyn, Tiana, Jacob and Garrett, his in-laws, Ray, Julie, Bobbie and Mike, and many other loving family and friends.
Feel free to leave a tribute below or share a story on this site that reminds you of Rusty; for it is these treasured memories of Rusty that will live on forever.
My favorite memory of Uncle Rusty was from a Thanksgiving somewhere in the early to mid ’60’s. We were all at our grandparents’ home, as was our custom, when much to the delight of us kids, it began to snow. I don’t remember who suggested building a snowman but I remember it was Uncle Rusty who came out with us and helped. In reality, he did most of the building while we helped because we really were toolittle to roll and lift the huge snowballs.I do know that it was the best Thanksgiving snowman I’ve ever seen.
I was also lucky enough to share a few fishing trips with him and I think he made the best smoked salmon ever!
Love you, Uncle Rusty. Rest in peace.
