Edward V. Bowen (1902-1989)

By Prentice Cushing

1989

Douglaston lost one of its most illustrious sailors last month with the death, at 87, of Past Commodore (1952-1954) Edward V. Bowen, a resident of 351 Warwick Avenue for fifty-two years.

A seaman all his life, he was at home in both oceans. Growing up in Snohomish, just north of Seattle, Washington, he went to sea early on, earning college tuition money by sailing up and down the West Coast from Alaska to Peru. Once, marooned in Peru when his shipping company went bankrupt, he worked his way north to New York and then rode the rails back to the University of Washington. There he alternated semesters- earning tuition money one and going to classes the other-besides rowing on the famous Washington crews and playing football.

Commissioned in the Navy during World War 11, he served in the Pacific and rose to Lieutenant Commander. When the war ended he still felt the call of the sea and obtained a Third Mate's License, helping to ferry troops home- much to the annoyance of Virginia, whom he had married in 1935.

Over the course of years Ed and Virginia owned a small fleet, ranging from an 18'day sailer, followed by a 21-footer, a 31' Alden sloop, and finally one of the most handsome and wholesome yachts in the Squadron, the yellow pine and teak classic Skylark, which Ed sailed so well that he became known as "The Grey Fox." Squadron awards abounded: Sappho trophy- 1952,1954,1955,1956; Waring trophy- 1962; Alfred Trophy-1965; Sutherland Prize- 1975; and the Roebling trophy (by Virginia) in 1977. In 1962 he was the donor of a sterling pitcher as the Commodore Douglas Trophy for the Annual DYS Captain Island Race.

Skvlark became Skip Walters' and continued to win; she still sails today out of New Rochelle. The Bowens then purchased a Morgan 34, Venture, which was lost in a fire at the Seaman Yard and replaced by another Skylark-, a Pearson 36.

In his Empire State Building office as a manufacturer's representative for wood products, he acquired a host friends and a reputation for honesty and integrity echoed many times over in the messages he received at his retirement dinner. Ed was a gracious host ashore and afloat, and, ever a gentleman, served many times on protest committees. He is buried in Zion churchyard, where fair winds continue to blow his way.