George Edward Bowen, beloved husband for over 60 years and childhood friend and high school sweetheart for 10 more of Arlene (Forsberg) Bowen, beloved father of Robert Bowen of Santa Cruz, Janet Lewis, John Bowen and Cathy Sira of Hayward and beloved Grandfather of Jesse Amos, Athena Cardiasmenos and Manuel Sira of Hayward, passed away in Hayward, California on March 26th, after a courageous two-decade struggle against emphysema. George was born September 19, 1929 in San Francisco and met his wife-to-be, also of San Francisco, and married her in that city before they moved to South San Francisco and then settled in Hayward, California in 1960. George Bowen was a loyally devoted, and quietly determined presence for all in his family and to all those fortunate enough know him as a friend. He was a perfectionist in all he did including the sheet metal trade where he was honored for his 50 years of excellent and painstaking service. George was a union man and despaired at the loss of what some of us see as the idea of a "common good" in pursuit of a quick profit of a favored few. He was also artistic creating more personal items such as jewelry for Arlene and was the go-to fix-it guy for a full array of household, automotive and machinery needs.There were few things he disliked more than not finding his work as ideal as what he pictured- and he almost always took the extra time to achieve that. He was a veteran of the Army known for his speed and quickness often winning the obstacle course in his training at Fort Lewis, Washington. George was also an absolutely passionate, life-long 49er fan from their very beginnings. His first "official" date with his future wife, Arlene, was at Kezar Stadium to see a 49er game with Arlene's beloved father, Hank Forsberg. He delighted others with his hilarious sense of humor, facility for voices and lightning wit and used them in gentle, often self-deprecating mockery. George, like his wife, had a youthful, vital quality and became a second family to many who were warmed by their compassion and stirred by their integrity. George and Arlene could also really "cut a rug" on the dance floor- something they both missed as George's illness progressed. George was preceded in death by his wonderful sister Marie (Bowen) Hagler and brother Steve Bowen. If there's a beautiful lake in need of some water skiers in a world beyond this one we who knew and loved George look forward to the day when we each take our turn giving him the "thumbs up" to hit the accelerator and pull us up to go gliding on green water with an endless blue sky above and our hearts bursting with the same happiness at being in his company we cherish now in memory. George's family requests that you refrain from calling at this time and send a card or letter instead. A remembrance for George will be announced sometime in the near future.