Mr. Richard O. Cowan Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard Orlando Cowan, age 88, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, February 21, 2022, at Berkshire Medical Center. Richard was born in Hudson, New York on April 2, 1933, son of the late Orlando Eggleston Cowan and Ruth Armstrong Haner Cowan. He spent his childhood on the family farm in Valatie. Richard graduated from Pittsfield High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After his service, he returned to Pittsfield and began work at General Electric. It was while working there that he met his wife, Mary (Kelly). Richard and Mary were married on June 21, 1958. In his earlier years, he enjoyed skiing, and sailing in his hand-built boat. He was a member of the Berkshire RC Flying Club for many years and found pleasure in designing, building, and flying radio-controlled planes. Richard will be missed for his sense of humor and good laugh, love of pie, warm and welcoming hugs, insistence on snow blowing and climbing ladders well into his 80s, and a MacGyver-like ability to fix anything. Richard is survived by his five sons, Paul Cowan and Donna Gouger of Dalton, Martin Cowan of Dalton, Stephen Cowan and Paula Piacenti of Pittsfield, Daniel Cowan and Cindy Danforth of Pittsfield, and David Cowan and Katie Brown of Plymouth. He also leaves five grandchildren: Noah, Sarah, Emily, Christopher, and Margaret, four great-grandchildren, Miles, Ella, Emmy and Everett and many nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mary, and his brothers, Douglas, Donald, and Duane Cowan. Funeral Notice: Services will be private. Burial will take place in Kinderhook, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Elder Services of Berkshire County, Meals on Wheels in care of the Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home.

Mr. Richard O. Cowan

April 2, 1933 - February 21, 2022