Richard James Bowers
Dr. Richard James Bowers aka “Daddy Bowers” was born on March 28, 1946, in Herington, Kansas, and left this world on November 22, 2023, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He attended the Council Grove, Ks. High School and then Wentworth military academy in Lexington, Mo. before graduating from University of Kansas in Lawrence, Ks. He then graduated from Kansas City University Medical School, the same medical school from which his father, Dr. James E Bowers, and his daughter Dr. Maria Bowers Headrick graduated. Rick did his residency at Fort Sam Houston Army base in San Antonio, Tx. and then served two years at Fort Cambell, Ky., and achieved the rank of Major. Then he moved to Chattanooga in 1978 to start his medical practice.
Rick loved old cars and always had several he liked to drive and work on with his son, Ricky. Over the years it was common to see him flash by in a pink Desoto, a white 1960s Cadillac, or in the back seat of one of his son’s Packards. When the family was in the Saddlebred horse business at Happy Valley, Rick would also participate showing in the pleasure driving class with his horse named “House Calls.”
Rick was an OBGYN doctor in the greater Chattanooga area for almost 50 years having offices in Fort Oglethorpe, Lafayette, and East Ridge as Chattanooga Women’s Specialists and was widely renowned for his kindness and astute doctor skills. He delivered over 50,000 babies across Dade, Walker, and Hamilton counties, and Rick was most happy working and seeing his beloved patients and nurses. Rick epitomized the old-world country doctor that would treat his patients regardless of their ability to pay. His perfect bedside manner and infectious humor and wit made visiting him as a patient pure joy. He was a friend to everyone who knew him and went out of his way to help patients.
He loved his King Charles Cavelier dogs and is now playing with them. He was a member of The Fairyland Club, Lookout Mountain Golf Club, and Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. James Eldon Bowers and Jeanne Young Bowers of Council Grove, Ks., and his in-laws, Betty Collette Miller and L.D. Miller, Jr. of Lookout Mountain, Ga.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Kate Miller Bowers (Becky), his children, Dr. Elizabeth Maria Bowers Headrick (Marc Headrick) and Richard James Bowers, Jr. (Daniel Treder); his sister, Susan Bowers Broadhurst, and nieces, nephews, friends, and thousands of beloved patients.
Family visitation will be on Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 4-7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home at 3239 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, and the funeral will be on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church at 316 N Bragg Lookout Mtn., Tn. 37350 with an hour visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery following the funeral.
Please make any memorial contributions to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen now named the Chatt Foundation at 727 E 11th St. Chattanooga, Tn. 37403 or The Ronald McDonald House Charities, 200 Central Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family and view memorial tribute.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.