Charles F. Bowman, Jr. (Chuck) died Sunday, March 17, 2019. Born on May 10, 1920 in Lancaster, PA and was the son of Charles F. and Helen H. Bowman. He is predeceased by his wife Elizabeth C. Bowman in April 2013. He is survived by his two sons, Dr. C. Jeffrey Bowman and wife, Nancy of Bluffton, SC and son Dr. James T. Bowman and wife, Donna of Trumball, CT. A third son, Thomas C. Bowman, died in August 1999. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his two sisters Helen Jermyn and Mariam Weaver.

After attending public schools in Lancaster, PA, Chuck graduated from Lancaster Boys High School in January 1938. He enrolled in Penn State College in 1938. He was member and President of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, a member of Intra-Fraternity council, a member of Parmi Nous Hat Society, captain of the varsity tennis team in his senior year, and member of varsity ice hockey team. Chuck met his future wife, Chris, in his junior year and graduated in May of 1942.

Chuck enrolled in a Naval Reserve program that sent him to Columbia University where he was granted a commission as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserve in December 1942. He was ordered to report to Norfolk, VA for his first tour of duty aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Ranger in the Atlantic Ocean. Christ stayed in college to continue her studies. On his return, they were married at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA. Chris returned home and Chuck was ordered to Philadelphia to put a new, lightweight aircraft carrier, the USS Monterey, into commission and served in the South Pacific in the gunnery department manning a twin 40 man anti-aircraft gun. He was very honored to serve during that time period with future president, Gerald Ford. After 18 months, supporting all the invasions of the Japanese islands, Chuck returned home to the States in 1944 and then served on the USS Topeka until the war ended in 1945. He was again a gunnery officer in charge of 8 inch turret on the fantail. He also served as catapult officer for the two seaplanes that they carried.

After the war Chuck and Chris moved to Hamburg, PA where he worked for Chris’s father in the ice cream manufacturing business until 1954 when the business was sold. He went to work for Blue Boy Dairy in Syracuse, NY and they lived in Skaneateles, NY where they lived and brought up their family. They were transferred to the home office in Rochester, NY where Chuck was named vice-president of the ice cream division and Chris went to work for First Federal S&L. As Chuck’s career progressed in the dairy business, there were many changes in ownership. He was a past president of the ice cream manufacturer’s Ass. for the states of NY, PA and NJ. He was also a president of Rochester Dairy Council.

Chuck and Chris decided to retire in 1985 and moved south to Carolina Trace, NC in 1987, where they both could enjoy golf, gardening and travel. After 13 wonderful years, they moved 20 miles to Southern Pines where they resided another 19 years at Belle Mead retirement community. They moved from the cottage after 10 years to an assisted living unit.

A memorial service will be held 2:00pm Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 at the Belle Meade Chapel with Rev. Archie Stevens officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send any remembrance to Belle Mead Education Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com

Services have been entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

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