The family of Richard James Bowling sadly share the news of his passing at the age of 79 from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Vancouver in 1946, Rick spent all but a few years of his life in Ladner, where he early on developed a love for sports, especially  golf, football, baseball and hockey (he was an excellent catcher and goalie), and for the natural world, including the fishing grounds of the Fraser River, where he manned a gillnetter for over thirty years. Well-known for his friendliness, kindness, and sense of humour, he was a popular and cheerful presence wherever he worked and played, from his young days as a speedster attendant at the public ice rink, to his time as a warehouseman at the Ladner Buckerfields, to his many years driving a liquor delivery van in Vancouver, and to his happy annual vacations in Mexico over the past three decades. A proud father and grandfather, Rick was also devoted to his parents, Harold (Heck) and Dorothy (Jean) Bowling, from whom he inherited his love of gardening and his deep respect for others. We like to believe that he is standing in a sunlit garden with them now, discussing the tomato plants and watching the hummingbirds and robins.

Rick is remembered with much love by his wife Pat, his son Jordin (Shannon), grandsons Jaden and Cruz, stepdaughter Tiffany (Brandon) and their children Nico, Ella, and Holden, and his siblings Bruce (Flo), Nola, and Tim (Theresa), as well as many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Dr. Melissa Mackenzie at UBC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation in Rick’s honour.

Farewell, Captain of the Driftwood and the Del-Marie. We already miss you terribly.