Ric Bowman

It is with love and heartbreak that we announce the passing of Ric Garde Bowman, 70, of Idaho Falls. He left this world the evening of December 1, 2024, surrounded by his wife, 5 children, son in law, and 3 of his oldest grandchildren at the Intermountain Health LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. After a long and courageous fight, cancer eventually won. He gave it his all and fought so hard. He wanted a miracle. In the end, the miracle came in the form of being released from the pain and suffering of this life.

Ric was the oldest of 5 adoring siblings, born May 25, 1954, to Garde & Beverly Bowman in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He attended Bonneville High School and went on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was an Idaho boy, he loved growing up and raising his family in Idaho Falls where he spent time camping, shooting guns, picking huckleberries, and taking his sons dirt bike riding on mountain trails. He loved tending to and beautifying his yard and garden, and would spend all day in the yard saying, “I’m working my guts out,” a true labor of love that he created and left for us. One of his favorite past times was making dutch oven dinners in a fire pit in the wooded area at the back of his property, his little slice of heaven. Ric could fix, build, and do anything, he built his home where he resided for the last 26 years, with his attention to detail and perfectionism on full display.

While on his mission, he met who would become his future forever sweetheart, Robyn Zimmerman, the daughter of parents who enjoyed feeding the missionaries regularly. They later reconnected when Robyn was attending Ricks College and married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 10, 1977. Together they welcomed 5 children into the world, Rachel Bowman (Las Vegas), Requel (Eric) Lewis (St. George), Josh (Lindsay) Bowman (North Carolina), Jarom (Erica) Bowman (Tennessee), and Jordan (Megan) Bowman (Idaho Falls).

In his quiet way, he loved his family fiercely and found comfort in providing, protecting, and preparing. He was a man of few words, the strong and steady type. He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we will remember his example of faith and service.

He worked at INL for the last 30+ years. He loved his eternal companion and was the most concerned about her upon his departure, we will take good care of her while he is gone.

He was so proud of all his kids, often heard bragging about their accomplishments and what big things they were doing next. He shined as a grandpa to15 grandkids (Aaliyah, Bella, Lyla, Beau, Lucy, Olive, Penelope, Harrison, Ava, Beatrix, Fae, Silas, Charley, Taggart, and Quinn). They called him “Papa” and they will forever remember the short formative time they had with him; his legacy lives on with each of them. His yellow lab, Ali, is going to miss sitting by him on the couch watching “Little House on the Prairie” reruns, playing ball, and spending time with him in the yard.

He was welcomed on the other side by his parents, Garde & Beverly Bowman; in laws, Francis (Bud) Zimmerman and Loretta Zimmerman; grandparents; his black lab, Porkchop; and presumably many others.

Dad, we love you, saying goodbye was the hardest thing we have ever had to do. Watch over us and stay near but go have some fun on your next adventure! Don’t prep too hard and enjoy the rest from all your valiant labors. We will think about you everyday, until we meet again.

A special thank you to all who helped, supported, and loved us through this difficult time. We will have an intimate family service at a later date.

Condolences may be sent online to www.woodfuneralhome.com.