Showing posts with label My Dad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Dad. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Dad's Toys from the Attic

Recently, my wife and I pulled Dad's old toys out of storage. Saved first in the attic of our Grandparent's homestead, and later moved to the attic of Dad's hangar at Deer Pasture Airfield, these items date back to the mid and late 1930's. These toys, along with a few family photos are all we have left to remind my siblings and me of our Father's youth. My siblings and I are now deciding what to do with these interesting relics. They're possibly worth some monetary value to some folks. But this is nothing compared to the sentimental value for us. Some probably will end up on the knick-knack shelves of our homes for us to admire occasionally in memory of Dad. The Texas heat has gotten the best of some of them, broken down and so badly deteriorated that they are literally turning to dust. And so, it seemed to me that the best way to save and hold on to these simple items was to capture them in pictures.

Click on images to enlarge.
























































They give us just a glimpse into a time in our Dad's life, long before we knew him... when he was just a boy. There is no doubt that Dad's love for airplanes had started at a very young age. And one other thing is clear... Dad and his sister (our beloved Aunt Janice) were hard on their toys. Each one is broken in some way, showing they were well used. There's not much else to say about them. It's fun just to look at them and try to imagine our Dad playing and enjoying them as a little boy.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

John Ryburn Bowden: 1929 - 2011


It is with mixed emotions that I must report the passing of my father John Ryburn Bowden. He has made is final flight toward the heavens and will be missed by all who knew him. Missed for his kind spirit, his love of aviation, and for the way he generously shared that passion with others. Yet we are relieved that he will no longer suffer through his courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease and other illnesses.

Many aviation enthusiasts have fond memories of attending one of the annual fly-ins hosted by my Dad and Mom over a span of 14 years from the late 1970's through the early 1990's. Some of those years, there were two (2) fly-ins. Attended by folks from all over the United States, these events grew to include over a hundred planes and several hundred visitors and participants. This was Dad's way of contributing and sharing in the promotion of grassroots aviation, antique airplanes, and sport flying.

We are so very proud of dad and all of the ways he taught us and cared for us. He lived life to its fullest and made every day a new adventure. His aviation accomplishments alone are marveled by many. Yet these were only small chapters in a life of countless achievements. One newspaper account of his life stated, "Many of us dream of doing things. John Bowden did them." This is an understatement.

Such a story is impossible to tell, short of a biography book. Perhaps one day this will happen. but for now, we will hold to his memory and be thankful for the time we spent with John R. Bowden.

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John Ryburn Bowden
December 19, 1929
February 19, 2011


We would love for you to share your memories and comments about dad below.


Monday, July 28, 2008

Dad

John Bowden, my Dad, has done some amazing things during his life. His love of old airplanes has been passed on to me. Now at age 79, he doesn't fly anymore, but loves hanging out with my mom (they've been married almost 57 years) and loves to reminisce about airplanes.

This post is dedicated to him and the planes he restored...

Beechcraft Staggerwing F17-D NC291Y













Waco ZQC-6 NC2277
















Aeronca 7AC Champ "Hopgrasser" - I worked almost every step of the way on this restoration with Dad while I was in High school. This is the plane I first solo'd and I gained more than 250 hours in this plane. I enjoyed taking most of my cousins, neices, and nephew for buddy rides in this plane.
Click Here:
http://barnstmr.blogspot.com/2008/08/hopgrasser.html








Stinson 108-3 Station Wagon N938C - restored in 1965




1956 Cessna 182 N3955D Restored in 1966









1950 Cessna 195A - N9880A Restored in 1976

Barnstmr's Random Slideshow

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