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Roger L. Bowers, 85, passed away Friday, March 7, 2003 at Presbyterian Hospice. Son of Charles Jacob and Grace Bowers, he was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was preceded in death by Bessie, his wife of 48 years. Roger had a love of flying and began at an early age offering 25 cent rides and thrills in his open cockpit plane to adventurous residents of small farming communities along the east coast. During World War II, he supervised work on commercial and military passenger and cargo aircraft in Canada and Alaska. Following the war, he served as a private pilot and Designated Maintenance Inspector for the Federal Aviation Authority of the eastern Nevada territory. As the aviation industry grew, so did Roger's contributions. He became Chief Inspector for F89, B45 and B50 aircraft and guidance systems; testing of experimental jet engines for the F2H, A3D and F7U; testing the Supersonic Ejection System for the F106 with live subjects; testing the prototype models of the F102, F106, 340 Airliner and the B36D Bomber. Years spent in aviation moved him from quality control supervision of small aircraft to airliners, carriers to missiles, and eventually to the Apollo Mission project. Roger and Bessie opened an antique shop in La Mesilla, New Mexico in 1969 and became owner/operators of El Mirasol Picture Frames in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Clovis. Roger lived in Albuquerque since 1978 and will be missed by his daughter, Peggy Elliott and husband, Gene of Las Cruces; granddaughter, Dunri Breedon and husband, Dan of Chico ,California; grandson, Clay Elliott and wife, Minda of Moreno Valley, California; and much-adored great-grandchildren, Jacob and Annalysia Elliott and Garrett Breedon. Roger was preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn Wade, Genevieve Cook, Geraldine Berry, Delores Steortz, Gene Dietrick; and brothers, Charles, Kenneth and James. Cremation has taken place at his request. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. The family thanks the outpatient and hospital nurses and caregivers of Presbyterian Hospice and Dr.James Liebmann for their compassionate care. Should friends desire, contributions may be made to Presbyterian Hospice or The American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th ST. NW. Albuq. 505-343-8008.
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