LOREN BOWMAN, FUHS '56
Clifford Loren Bowman went home to be with the Lord shortly after 2 am, 1/20/08 PST. With the Lord, who said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)Loren was a great husband, dad, uncle and grandpa. He is already missed by his wife, three kids, their spouses, and eleven grandchildren. A greatgrandchild is due soon. The family has discussed the possibility of a memorial service to be held the weekend of February 8, but nothing has been firmed up so watch this site for more details. Given Loren's commitment to the Lord, his big loving family, and his extended church family, it should be a great service.
(Sent by Florence Satchell, Pow Wow class rep for the class of '56)
Additional information:
With his wife Anne (my sister), Loren Bowman was the main reason Nancy and I were compelled to move to Oregon in 1997 and plant Bear Creek Church in 1998. That's why we were dumbfounded when Loren was stricken the day BCC was celebrating its 10th anniversary, last Sunday (January 13). The Bowmans were vacationing in Hawaii, sick about missing BCC's big day but unable to change their long-held reservations. Here are some of the notes I've made about Loren's situation. There is some unnecessary detail here, but family members will want to know as much as possible. If you have any replies or corrections, please send them to me at pastordale@aol.com.
Check back for updates as the situation progresses. Thank you for your concern, and for keeping my brother-in-law and his family in your prayers. - Pastor Dale
(From Connie: Click on "Comments" below to read the notes that Pastor Dale made and the obituary.)
posted by Connie @ 1:19 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Notes written by Pastor Dale
1/14/08
Here's almost everything I know about the situation my brother-in-law, Loren Bowman, is in. I'm going to send it to our Home Group, with whom we prayed for Loren last night before our abrupt departure, and also the family and Elders. This is more detail than anyone needs, but some family members will want to know everything possible.
My sister Anne and her husband Loren left Medford on Saturday morning for Maui, where they have a timeshare condo they enjoy visiting. They had spent one night there, where Loren was fighting a cold and where Anne did not have a great night's rest because of a very chilly wind blowing down from the nearby mountains through the window onto their bed. Yesterday after church they stopped at Safeway to stock up on some groceries. Loren stayed in the car, wanting to lie back and fight the effects of his worsening cold. Anne went into the store and had been gone about 20 minutes (she estimates) when the PA system paged the owner of a car matching their rental car's description. Anne responded to the page and was told by a nice couple that there was a problem outside. Anne ran out to find the car surrounded by police, fire, and paramedics. Loren was cut out of his shirt, IVs had been started, and CPR was being performed. After approximately 10 minutes more, all were loaded into an ambulance for a wild ride to the hospital, about 20 minutes away, Anne thinks. She learned today that Loren was defibrillated twice en route. During the ride, Anne rode in front with the driver and saw the action through the window between the cab and the back. Anne says the gal driving weaved in and out of the obstinate traffic, through busy intersections and all, calmly explaining what might be going on. In back, three persons worked on Loren, communicating the entire time with the hospital, who was ready for him when they arrived.
All this time, and to this moment, Loren has been unconscious. Anne has had no response from Loren except for a time, I believe at the hospital, when she spoke into his ear (having been told that he might be able to hear her) and he responded with agitated movements that jeopardized the tubes inserted into him. Early reports that he had whispered to her at some point were not accurate. A doctor there told her it was a good sign that he was swallowing on his own.
At this time, Loren is on a breathing tube. Anne estimates that there are five or six pumps working at his bedside. Using ice, his body's temperature has been lowered into the low 90's to give his brain a chance to recover from the oxygen loss he suffered in the Safeway parking lot. In addition, he has been given drugs (paralytics?) that further reduce his body function, which means among other things that he does not shiver in spite of the cold. At this point, the plan is to raise his temperature sometime tonight (they are two hours behind us) and re-evaluate his situation. One aim, I believe, is to evaluate the damage - if any - caused by the trauma. The outcome may be very severe or very light.
Lori Vorgang, Anne's daughter and eldest child, left Medford early this morning to join her Mom and is due to arrive there about lunchtime their time. Husband Dave is home with their children. Lori's arrival will be a huge help to Anne, who last night left the hospital only for a shower and a few hours rest. Sons Ryan (Medford) and Brad (Virginia) are standing by to see what develops, ready to move quickly if best.
Anne has already received much support from strangers: Christian nurses have prayed with her, as have a hospital chaplain that I contacted by phone and others. In addition, the one woman they know from the church they attend when visiting there walked in with her husband, an administrative pastor, and visited and have been very helpful, delivering Anne's rental car to the hospital, offering their guest room (closer to the hospital than Anne and Loren's condo which is 20 minutes away), and offering to bring breakfast to her this morning. This support has been terrific, else she would have been all alone, far from home, in a very busy hospital where there seems to be a shortage of space.
Anne is now with Loren in his room in the ICU, where she can stay with him. The room is very cold so she has to bundle up to keep warm. We encouraged her to at least go sit in the car, warm up and take a cat nap.
Many of you will recall the similarities between this episode and the one Dave and Lori experienced in Hawaii when Dave almost died due to complications arising from his struggle with Crohn's Disease, two ( ? ) years ago. In that instance, Lori was shopping in a store when Anne and Loren pulled up and found Dave in trouble in his car.
Thank you for keeping our brother-in-law in prayer. Loren is a faithful guy who means a lot to his family and his welfare is very concerning to us. As always, we trust the Lord for his best in every situation, including this one.
All this follows a great day of rejoicing and celebration at Bear Creek Church, where yesterday we marked our 10th anniversary and the ordination of two new pastors, Brian Phelps and John Sleadd. We had missed Anne and Loren sorely, since they were as instrumental in our move to Oregon and BCC's founding as anyone. Unfortunately, they had long planned this trip and were unable to change the dates.
1/15/08 - morning
I just got off the phone with Lori, from the hospital in Maui. Last night hospital workers began the process of bringing Loren around from the drug-induced coma-like status in which they had put him. This means warming his body and stopping the use of the paralytics that had slowed his systems. This process could take many hours or a few days and until more time goes by not much will be known about Loren's future.
Anne and Lori are exhausted, as you know if you have ever been in a hospital for long nights with a loved one. Ryan left early this morning to be with his sister and mother and will arrive in Hawaii today about the same time Lori arrived yesterday. They will be glad to see him.
Thank you for your prayers, your calls, your offers of food and help, and the scriptures you have passed along, such as this from Isaiah 40:
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
1/15/08 - 10:00 pm (PST)
Almost 20 hours after being warmed and taken off the paralyzing drugs, Loren is still unresponsive and showing no signs of recovery. Tests show no sign of activity in his brain. Anne, Lori and Ryan (who arrived this afternoon) are coming to grips with the fact that Loren's physical future is bleak. However, even as they do so they are confident of Loren's relationship with the Lord and his bright future in the event of his death. So for now, medically, it is wait-and-see. Son Brad will join his family at the hospital from Virginia tomorrow afternoon, and it will be good for Anne to be together with her children.
Again, this is a huge burden, watching a loved one in such a state. However, Anne sounds good on the phone. Hopefully, she and Lori will be able to get some good rest tonight, especially now that Ryan is around to be helpful. Anne reported that it has been so good to have him join she and her daughter.
1/16/08 - 9:30 pm (PST)
There is no dramatic change to Loren's unresponsive condition, only some small signs that his body is wearying of this struggle. He may be fighting a fever (if I heard correctly). Anne now has all of her three kids there, with Brad's arrival this evening. Lori reports that it is really good to be together at this important time, and that their staggered arrival has been a help as each has buoyed those already at their Dad's bedside. They are so thankful for the excellent care Loren has received: without exception, the hospital staff from the doctors to the nurses to the social worker and all, have been very very helpful.
Please pray that the Lord will give Anne, Lori, Ryan and Brad a peace as they discuss the situation in these next hours. They may have to compare Loren's physical realities to his written wishes and will need godly wisdom in doing so. They are very grateful for the encouragement and prayers of their friends on the mainland, as well as the good counsel they have received from some experienced in such situations.
1/17/08 - 2:30 pm (PST)
Per Loren's written wishes, with the counsel of friends and family, and on the advice of medical professionals in Hawaii and here in Medford, Anne and her children had all the external supports being used to prolong Loren's decline removed. They are told it is just a matter of time before he passes away. Whether it will be short or long, no one can say exactly. We might pray that God will continue to be merciful to Loren and his family and that the time of his homegoing might be sooner rather than later. After all,
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. (II Cor. 5:1-2)
Anne and the kids wanted again to express their gratitude to everyone who has prayed for them: they are so blessed to know that so many care. They said they know people are praying for them; they can feel it.
1/18/08 - 10 pm (PST)
No changes in Loren's situation. Anne, Lori, Ryan and Brad worked hard today on various details arising out of all that has happened in the last week. Anne reports that they are all emotionally spent, so we might pray that the Lord will give them a good night and the strength to keep going. Among other things today, they were all stepping off an elevator at the hospital when they ran into a doctor who had been exceedingly helpful to Dave and Lori when they were at the very same hospital with Dave's critical situation during the Vorgang's Hawaiian vacation. Turns out this doctor is a devout Christian, and he blessed the family by confirming their present course and by making a good suggestion or two. This is another example of the blessing so many have been to my sister, her husband, and their kids.
1/19/08 - 9 pm (PST)
Just got off the phone with Lori. She says that there is little to report as far as Loren's condition, though some of his systems show signs of wear. She is glad she is there with her Mother and brothers. Some of them had planned to leave Maui to return home by now but have postponed such plans and are glad they did so. They put a CD player in Loren's room so it is now filled with soft Christian hymns, which Lori says they ought to have done sooner because it is so reassuring. I was told the boys were singing hymns for their Dad earlier in the day.
OBITUARY
Clifford Loren Bowman, of Medford, passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2008, on Maui, where he had been vacationing with his wife, Anne. A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, February 9, 2008, at noon. The service will be hosted by Bear Creek Church in the gymnasium of St. Mary's School at 816 Black Oak Drive in Medford. An obituary remembering Loren's life will be posted here closer to that date.
Published in the Mail Tribune on 1/25/2008.
Clifford Loren Bowman went to be with the Lord (John 14:1-4) on Sunday, January 20, 2008. His family rejoices at his homegoing even as they grieve at this unexpected loss. They will remember him as a man of strength, stability, gratefulness and integrity, who loved God and who consistently modeled these qualities. He taught more by action than by word. Loren derived great joy from quietly and tirelessly facilitating many precious memories for his dearly-loved wife and large extended family.
Loren and Anne had just arrived in Maui (their favorite vacation destination for years) when Loren was stricken by cardiac arrest on Sunday, January 13. For the following week, Loren remained in a coma, allowing Lori, Ryan, and Brad to join their Mom at Loren's side. The four of them cherished this time together with their Dad to grieve, comfort one another, and say goodbye for now.
Loren Bowman was born June 8, 1937, in Fullerton, Calif., to parents, Clifford and Mozelle Bowman. The first of two boys, Loren was raised there and graduated from Fullerton Union High School in 1956. He married Anne Meador on July 2, 1960, in Fullerton, Calif.
Loren and Anne had three children and eleven grandchildren, who were a great source of joy. Their children and spouses are Dave and Lori Anne Vorgang, of Medford; Ryan Emery and Angie Bowman, of Medford; and Bradley Loren and Antonette Bowman, of Fairfax, Va. Grandchildren are Army Specialist, Chris Vorgang, of Fort Hood, Texas; Jason and Julianne Hulce, of Central Point; Elyssa, Matthew, and Abigail Vorgang, of Medford; Brianna, Sophia, Olivia and Emma Bowman, of Medford; and Alexandra and Ethan Bowman, of Fairfax, Va. Granddaughter Julianne is now expecting Loren and Anne's first great-grandchild.
Loren's extended family include mother-in-law, Muriel Meador, of Medford; in-laws, Todd and Brenda Meador, of Jacksonville; Dave and Jeanne Meador, of Roseburg; Ron and Janice Cronk, of Goleta, Calif.; Gil and Marylou Meador, of Jacksonville; Dale and Nancy Meador, of Medford; and brother, Ron and Patricia Bowman, of Hemet, Calif.; along with all their children and grandchildren.
After High School, Loren graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964. Subsequently, Loren worked for Cutler-Hammer and THUMS Long Beach Co. (Texaco Humble Union, Mobile, Shell). In 1977, Loren and Anne and their three children moved to a small farm in Southern Oregon on the Applegate River, and he worked as Plant Quality Control Engineer for Standard Transformer. In 1980, Loren moved to the 3M Company as Plant Engineer, retiring in 1996. After retirement, Loren worked and volunteered for several companies advising small business owners.
Loren enjoyed taking care of his quiet property in the Applegate Valley, raising beef and hay. After a day at the plant, he looked forward to coming home, often donning his boots, moving irrigation pipe, or planting some of the hundreds of trees he planted there. Loren and his family were active campers and boaters, especially enjoying trips to the local mountain lakes. In 2003, with their children long grown, Loren and Anne traded the rural life for a lovely east Medford home, where Loren had done the landscaping and where they hosted dozens and dozens of family members and friends for regular pool parties and get-togethers.
The Bowman family attended Medford First Baptist Church for twelve years. Ten years ago, Loren was instrumental in the planting of Bear Creek Church, where four generations of his family attend. At BCC, he served as a treasurer and an enthusiastic member who especially enjoyed meeting with his men's group.
Trusting in the promises of God to all who name Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10), a memorial service of worship and celebration is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. The service, hosted by Bear Creek Church, and followed by a luncheon to which all are invited, will take place in the gymnasium at St. Mary's School, 816 Black Oak Drive, Medford. A grateful family suggests that memorial gifts may be directed to Bear Creek Church, P.O. Box 4732, Medford, OR 97501.
Published in the Mail Tribune on 2/7/2008.
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