Clement W. Bowen Jr. ’50

Clem died Feb. 20, 2017. He was a long-time resident of Delaware.

He was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the Haverford (Pa.) School. At Princeton he studied chemical engineering and was a varsity fencer and a member of Terrace. Clem continued his education by earning a master’s degree in chemical engineering in 1951 and a Ph.D. in 1955, both from the University of Pennsylvania.

His 35-year career with DuPont took him and his family to locations in Indiana, West Virginia, and Texas before he settled in Wilmington, where his knowledge of chemical-processing operations and safety issues was greatly respected.

Clem loved to travel, read, and drink bourbon, but he mostly loved to sing, which he did with gusto. Singing and theater were very much a part of his family’s life. His vocal repertoire ranged from church choir, to musicals, and opera, for which he was once paid. He was an active member of the Unitarian Church and a strong advocate for issues espoused by the Delaware Nature Society.

He was married for almost 50 years to Anne Derham, who predeceased him. He is survived by his second wife, Kate; daughters Christina and Elizabeth, sons Clement III and Mark; and 10 grandchildren.