David P. Bowers

David “Dave” Paul Bowers of Linglestown passed away after a sudden battle with cancer on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. He was 63 years young. 

Born in Harrisburg, PA on April 19, 1960, Dave grew up in Etters, PA. A natural athlete, he played basketball, baseball, and tennis at Red Land High School and graduated Class of 1978. He went on to earn his associate degree from HACC in Business Management where he achieved Dean’s List. He had a successful career in hospitality and worked tirelessly to make every place he worked better. He always went the extra mile to mentor and coach those around him, which led to many wonderful friendships, between Phillips Crab House, Red Lobster, Oasis Bar & Grill, and Highmark to name a few. More than anything, Dave was in the business of making people happy. With his million-dollar smile and heart of gold, he lit up every room he walked in to. He cared deeply for many and was an all-around class act, and fun-loving guy who would help you at the drop of a hat.

Family was everything to Dave. Dave joins his mother, Joy Bowers (Lutz) in heaven. He will one day be reunited with his children, James “Jimmy” Bowers (Emilee) and Jennifer “Jenny” Berju (Jordan); his father, Harry Bowers; siblings, Cheryl Kinney (Scott) and Steven Bowers (Rumina); nephews and niece, Nathan Kinney (Hillary), Brian Kinney (Marisa), Logan Bowers-Flannery and Raya Bowers; and four great-nieces, Addie, Hadley, Sadie and Palmer. 

Dave’s world revolved around his kids, and he was genuinely their number one fan. He cherished every moment spent with his son and daughter – Jimmy his best friend/buddy, and Jenny his “spunky daddy’s girl”. Whether on the sidelines at their sporting events, grabbing a Dumser’s ice cream on the boardwalk, or hanging out backstage at a concert – he was always there to support them. Dave was their role model, and his personality was contagious – compassionate, loyal, and always a great sense of humor.

For every family occasion, Dave could be found in the kitchen with his sister whipping up something good. He found joy in creating menus and over the years he passionately worked with his brother to help him open restaurants at the beach. Music was a vibrant part of Dave’s life. Countless concerts and shows, the car radio rarely strayed from Hair Nation station. He loved his 80's rock music and getting to know/support local musicians. Dave was a sports encyclopedia and a lifelong fan of Penn State football and wrestling, Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers, and DC United. And each summer you knew you could find Dave on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland – spending days-on-end soaking up the sun, taking it easy.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Dave’s life on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:00am followed by services at 11:00am onsite Paddletown St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 355 Church Road, Etters, PA 17319. Reception to follow. The Parthemore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do what Dave would do – support a local musician, visit a new restaurant, take a trip to the beach, show kindness to a stranger – and share it to his Facebook page. The positive impact he had on so many is his greatest legacy. We will miss him deeply but know that he is with his mother watching over us, probably on the beach reading the Sports section while listening to Poison tunes and twirling his hair. He truly gave us something to believe in.