Edward Brooks Bowen (known as Brooks) passed away on Thursday May 29, 2025, in Lady Lake, Florida. He was 86 years old. His wife, Ruth E May Sanderson Bowen passed away June 20, 2016, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She was 81 years old. They are survived by their son Jeffrey Louis Bowen, his wife Cynthia; and granddaughter Jasmine Holly Bowen.

Brooks was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on June 5, 1938, and Ruth was born in Findlay, Ohio on February 7, 1935. They met at the College of Wooster (Ohio) and were married on the day of Ruth's graduation. Brooks later finished his Psychology degree in Richmond at Richmond Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University).  Having moved to Richmond, Ruth was a schoolteacher, and Brooks was Senior Vice President of Personnel at Thalhimers Department Stores for many years.

Ruth and Brooks were "citizens of the world" – they appreciated music, culture, nature and art. They were peaceable, kind folks to everyone and always wanted the best for mankind. In later years, Brooks reflected on their activities with the Unitarian Church of Richmond where they played an instrumental role in the movement of the church to its current location. Many of their friends at the time were churchgoers.

Ruth and Brooks always wanted to have a business together, so they became travel agents and opened Travel Agents International. This was after Ruth received her Master's degree in library science at the University of Hawaii. They experienced the world together, having visited many places.

Brooks always offered a smile and appreciated people of all backgrounds. One time he saw a nurse's name tag and it said 'Lolani.' He said, "That's a Hawaiian name!" She said, "Yes, it is!" He asked her if she had been there, and she said, "Not yet." He said, "You need to go!" Of all the places Ruth and Brooks travelled, Hawaii was always their favorite.

Their greatest trait was their positivity. Ruth with her warmth and organizational skills and Brooks with his people skills approached all situations with a humanistic perspective. Brooks often referenced Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and concepts such as the "emotional bank account."

Today in positive remembrance of Ruth and Brooks, we know that the values they instilled and the positivity they gave us are part of who we are today. Thank you, Ruth and Brooks!

Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449.  Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com .