Richard S. "Dick" Fowler of Riverton died early Saturday morning, Oct. 13, 2007, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper where he had been a patient for two months. He was 76 years old.
At his request, private family graveside services will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Riverton. Inurnment will be Saturday, Oct. 20.
Richard S. Fowler was born in Salina, Kan., on Oct. 3, 1931, the son of L.W. Fowler and Mabel (Shirk) Fowler. He grew up in Central and Northern Kansas and was graduated from high school in Superior, Neb., with the Class of 1949.
Upon graduation he worked in the local area until he entered the U.S. Army in August of 1952. He was initially stationed at Fort Sill, Okla.
Upon completion of basic training, he returned home and, on Dec. 21, 1952, was united in marriage with Shirley V. Dodd of rural Esbon, Kan. They were married in the farm home of the bride's parents. Everett and Elsie Dodd. Ten days later, Pvt. Fowler was sent to Germany for nearly two years' duty during the Korean War.
He returned home to Pratt, Kan., as a Sgt. in 1954 to work in the oil fields for Halliburton and Welex.
Their son, Kim Richard, was born in 1955 and their daughter, Kathy Lea, was born in 1957.
The family moved to Riverton in March of 1959, having fallen in love with the area on a visit here with his sister, Katisue Harmon, two weeks earlier.
For 10 years, Mr. Fowler worked as a salesman for various local automotive dealerships. In 1970, he went to work in highway construction for Gilpatrick Construction of Riverton and continued in that line of work until his retirement in 1995.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Riverton.
Mr. Fowler was very active in the Masonic orders including the Masonic Lodge #26 A.F.&A.M. of Riverton through the Kalif Shrine Center in Sheridan and the Fremont County Shrine Club. He was very active in the philanthropic activities of the organizations in behalf of crippled and burned children.
He was a life-member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3628.
Mr. Fowler enjoyed collecting, tinkering in his shop, coffee with friends, and visiting with friends and strangers. In earlier years he enjoyed hunting with his son, who preceded him in death in 1978.
When his children were younger, Mr. Fowler was active in Boy Scouts, Little League, DeMolay, and Job's Daughters.
Mr. Fowler is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Shirley V. Fowler of Riverton; daughter, Kathy Fowler Werbelow and husband Steve of Powell; grandchildren, Jamie Fowler Baldwin and husband Doug of Rawlins, Cameron Stewart of Powell, Kayla Stewart Gahagan and husband Adam of Rapid City, S.D., McKenna Werbelow of Powell; four step-grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a sister, Katisue Harmon of El Paso, Texas; brother-in-law, Jimmie Dodd and wife Lee of Bryan, Tex.; sister-in-law, Beth Fowler of Webber, Kan., several nieces and nephews, and extended family members. including Connie Fowler Zielinski of Casper and Bob and Maxine Switzer of Mankato, Kan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kim; brothers, Robert and Chuck; sister, Mariana.
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: thedavisfuneralhome.com
Memorials may made to a charity of the donors' choice. In care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main, Riverton, WY 82501.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.