Dr. Donald F. Bowen, DDS

Dr. Donald (Don) F. Bowen, DDS, age 71, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the James Cancer Hospital OSU Wexner Medical Center with his wife and children at his side.

Don was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Robert and Laurel Bowen, both deceased. He graduated from Upper Arlington High School, class of '71, The Ohio State University, and The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He was a member of the Ohio Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

Don opened his own practice in the early 1980s and expanded to 8 offices throughout greater Columbus.  He loved his career and found great fulfillment serving his patients.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Janet, and their children Theresa (Scott) Gessells and their children Chloe, Braden, Ava, Ella, Sophia, Gavin, Austin, and Connor; son Scott (Lyndy) Bowen and their children Crew and Charlie, and youngest son Jonathon (Kristen) Bowen. He is also survived by his brothers Rick (Sandy) Bowen, Bob (Dixie) Bowen, and their children and grandchildren. He also leaves many dear cousins and his aunts, Marge Reeder and Anna Secrist.

Don always lived life to the fullest. Like his parents and brothers, he was an avid tennis player and won the state doubles championship in his junior year in high school. Don loved his time on the golf course with his close friends and family. He and Janet were true Buckeye fans and spent Saturdays in the fall at the 'Shoe cheering on the Buckeyes. As a dedicated outdoorsman, Don embraced any chance to be on a boat reeling in marlin or fishing for lake trout and steelhead on Lake Michigan. Most of all, he loved spending time in the woods on his farm hunting whitetail.  

Don will be missed by so many, but most of all by his family, whom he loved dearly and was very proud of.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 22, from 4-7 pm at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 403 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, April 23, at St. Brendan Catholic Church at 10:30 am, 4475 Dublin Rd., Hilliard, Ohio. The burial service will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Contributions in Don's memory may go to the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Strategic Support Fund at OSU, the OSU James Head and Neck Cancer Fund, or Pelotonia. 

We want to thank the staff at the James Cancer Hospital, especially Dr. Kyle VanKoevering, for their outstanding care for Don.

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