Obituary for Richard James McGowan
Richard “Dick” McGowan, age 93, of Spring Park, died peacefully on Friday, June 2, 2023. He was born in
Minneapolis on March 18, 1930 and graduated from West High School in 1948. Dick served in the U.S.
Army from 1951-1953 and achieved the rank of sergeant. He was a proud member of the Polar Bear 50
below Club, having served far too many days with temperatures far below zero in Alaska. After his
discharge from the Army, Dick married the love of his life, Darlene, on Sept. 11, 1954.
Dick experienced a wide variety in his working life. He owned a record store, was a record label
representative, manufactured and sold cassette cases, was an interior design fabric representative, and
worked in a liquor store during his retirement. Dick’s true passion was working with his hands. He always
had several projects in the works. Some of his more memorable ones were the giant brick grill in the
backyard in Golden Valley, the numerous cars he restored, and the boat house at the cabin on Lake
Beauty (which still stands to this day). He could always be found tinkering with something in the garage.
Dick was well liked wherever he went. He made friends easily, even when out on the road for work.
There are many stories from his friends he met while traveling. These could be added to the stories from
the neighbors from Scott Ave., where Dick and Darlene lived for 40 years, to the neighbors of 50 years on
Lake Beauty. The lifelong friendships he had were a testament to his character. Dick was a person that
people could rely on, hardworking, and honest; traits he worked hard on to perfect.
During his retirement, Dick and Darlene would travel to the ends of the world to be with their daughters
and grandchildren. As such, they had the opportunity to see the Great Wall of China, experience the
wonders of Spain and Italy, visited several locations around the States, and hit the casinos with his
brother Ken and his wife Pat.
While Dick loved and was very involved with raising his daughters, Pam, Lynn and Nancy; Dick’s greatest
joy was his grandchildren. He was extraordinarily proud of Megan, AJ, and Shannon. Dick could be found
at all their activities. He was their biggest supporter during school events, extracurricular activities, or
just a shoulder to lean on. Dick never missed a volleyball game, dance recital, swim meet, football game,
or play, to name a few events he attended. If one of his grandkids was involved, he was there cheering
them on. Dick was present at the weddings of his granddaughters and had the pleasure of knowing his
great grandchildren, Charlie and Ronan.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Darlene; parents Nellie and William McGowan; brothers William and Robert McGowan; sisters Birdie Murphy, Betty Lamb, and Dorothy Tillmans. He is missed greatly by his daughters Pam Kuntuzos, Lynn (Gene) Zang, Nancy (Nick) Schlee; grandchildren Megan (Riley) Becker, AJ Schlee, Shannon (Spenser) Bland; great grandchildren Charlotte and Ronan Becker; brother Ken McGowan; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Thank you to Park Nicollet Hospice and Presbyterian Homes Long Term Care personnel. Your time and dedication to his care is greatly appreciated.
A Memorial Mass will be on Tuesday, June 13th at 2 pm at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 2385 Commerce Boulevard, Mound with visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Please join the family for refreshments following the mass. An interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with military honors will be held on Tuesday, June 27th at 9 am.
Minneapolis on March 18, 1930 and graduated from West High School in 1948. Dick served in the U.S.
Army from 1951-1953 and achieved the rank of sergeant. He was a proud member of the Polar Bear 50
below Club, having served far too many days with temperatures far below zero in Alaska. After his
discharge from the Army, Dick married the love of his life, Darlene, on Sept. 11, 1954.
Dick experienced a wide variety in his working life. He owned a record store, was a record label
representative, manufactured and sold cassette cases, was an interior design fabric representative, and
worked in a liquor store during his retirement. Dick’s true passion was working with his hands. He always
had several projects in the works. Some of his more memorable ones were the giant brick grill in the
backyard in Golden Valley, the numerous cars he restored, and the boat house at the cabin on Lake
Beauty (which still stands to this day). He could always be found tinkering with something in the garage.
Dick was well liked wherever he went. He made friends easily, even when out on the road for work.
There are many stories from his friends he met while traveling. These could be added to the stories from
the neighbors from Scott Ave., where Dick and Darlene lived for 40 years, to the neighbors of 50 years on
Lake Beauty. The lifelong friendships he had were a testament to his character. Dick was a person that
people could rely on, hardworking, and honest; traits he worked hard on to perfect.
During his retirement, Dick and Darlene would travel to the ends of the world to be with their daughters
and grandchildren. As such, they had the opportunity to see the Great Wall of China, experience the
wonders of Spain and Italy, visited several locations around the States, and hit the casinos with his
brother Ken and his wife Pat.
While Dick loved and was very involved with raising his daughters, Pam, Lynn and Nancy; Dick’s greatest
joy was his grandchildren. He was extraordinarily proud of Megan, AJ, and Shannon. Dick could be found
at all their activities. He was their biggest supporter during school events, extracurricular activities, or
just a shoulder to lean on. Dick never missed a volleyball game, dance recital, swim meet, football game,
or play, to name a few events he attended. If one of his grandkids was involved, he was there cheering
them on. Dick was present at the weddings of his granddaughters and had the pleasure of knowing his
great grandchildren, Charlie and Ronan.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Darlene; parents Nellie and William McGowan; brothers William and Robert McGowan; sisters Birdie Murphy, Betty Lamb, and Dorothy Tillmans. He is missed greatly by his daughters Pam Kuntuzos, Lynn (Gene) Zang, Nancy (Nick) Schlee; grandchildren Megan (Riley) Becker, AJ Schlee, Shannon (Spenser) Bland; great grandchildren Charlotte and Ronan Becker; brother Ken McGowan; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Thank you to Park Nicollet Hospice and Presbyterian Homes Long Term Care personnel. Your time and dedication to his care is greatly appreciated.
A Memorial Mass will be on Tuesday, June 13th at 2 pm at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 2385 Commerce Boulevard, Mound with visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Please join the family for refreshments following the mass. An interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with military honors will be held on Tuesday, June 27th at 9 am.