Theodore R. Bowen

Theodore “Ted” Bowen

Theodore “Ted” Bowen passed away peacefully, though unexpectedly, on Wednesday, November 19, just shy of his 81st birthday. He left this world the way he lived in it: on his own terms.

Born December 3, 1945 to parents Don and Lorraine (Sheets) Bowen, Ted’s first role was as a notorious south-side Oshkosh hooligan. His childhood résumé included partial ownership of a party boat, bowling and pin-setting at the Rec Lanes, smoking cigarettes, and giving his parents and sisters as much grief as they could stand.

Despite his antics, Ted was accepted at the University of Wisconsin Madison and channeled his energy and strong opinions into earning a journalism degree, which he would use in later years to write many “spirited” letters to various newspaper editors. He also met his wife of 57 years, Karen (Mueller), during his time in college, and never looked back. After graduation, he attended Air Force Officer Training School followed by pilot training, eventually becoming a proud F-4 Phantom pilot.

After serving as an Air Force Captain in Germany during the Vietnam era, Ted returned home with Karen and two siamese cats. Despite nearly taking up residence in an Arizona fire tower, they eventually returned to Oshkosh, where he became a dedicated resident who rarely left (except for brief escapes to race ice boats wherever the ice was good, shepherd sailboats around Lake Michigan, and place ill-advised bets at Arlington Park during an annual pilgrimage with friends). Ted took a job with friends working at a small printing company called Challenger Press, where he spent almost as much time playing pinball as printing pages. Eventually, he moved to Service Litho Print, where he helped usher in the era of computer graphic design.

Ted enjoyed his work, but his primary passion was boats of the non-motorized variety. During summer months, Wednesday nights were spent drinking beer and eating peanuts in the Miller’s Bay parking lot after Laser races, and Sundays were spent judging E Scow races on Lake Winnebago. In the dead of winter, he could be found on the ice talking shop with fellow ice boaters. He earned lifetime memberships in both the Oshkosh Yacht Club and the South Side Ice Yacht Club after years of membership and dedicated service. He remained a central figure of both even after his sailing, judging, and Friday fish fry bartending days ended.

Ted passed his passions on to his kids, Ed and Ann, teaching Ed to sail and Ann to bowl, and he was proud of their mediocre successes at both. He adored his four grandkids and, despite being a lifelong cat person, converted instantly when he met his son’s secret dog, Coach. From then on, he was a dog guy—survived now by Logan, the barkiest dog you’ll ever meet.

In recent years, Ted loved reading everything he could get his hands on, grumbling about Wisconsin sports teams, and fulfilling his role of the delightfully cranky old man. He was a creature of habit, and his family often joked that the three things holding him together were Jim Beam, peanuts, and daily trips to the downtown YMCA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Lorraine Bowen; his aunt and uncle John and May Ziebell, his parents-in-law, Robert and Mary Mueller; his brothers-in-law John Schellpfeffer, Jim Mueller, and Bruce Jovaag; cats Sarah, Moses, and Honey; and dogs Coach and Scuppers.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Bowen; his children Ed (Kari) Bowen and Ann (Michael) Potratz; his grandchildren Elsie, Lillian, and Theodore Bowen and Emily Potratz. He is also survived by his sisters Margaret Schellpfeffer and Cynthia (William) Lemke; sisters-in-law Elizabeth Klem and Chris (Rick) Maki; nephew Brendan Schellpfeffer, niece Kaity (Andy) Olsen, nephew Matt (Kris) Lemke, niece Carrie (Brian) Chappa, niece Amelia (DannO) Osterud, nephew Dylan (Michelle) Mueller, nieces Beth Mueller and Jennifer Mueller; along with many grand-nieces and nephews.

Ted’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the ER and ICU staff at Aurora Medical Center - Oshkosh for their tireless kindness, compassion and support. They would also like to thank his longtime physician Dr. Kirdita N. Ringwala for her decades of tough love and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Bowen Family Fund, care of the Oshkosh Community Foundation, to continue Ted’s legacy of supporting the community he loved. Contributions may also be directed to the Oshkosh Humane Society, honoring Ted’s late-in-life devotion to dogs. Memorial service details are forthcoming, and the family appreciates your patience as they plan a celebration worthy of Ted’s remarkable life.