David L. Bowden, 68 a lifelong resident of Methuen passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 at Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill. Dave was raised and educated in Methuen. He graduated from Tenney High School with the class of 1968. He served his country proudly in the US Army. After boot camp he was sent to Vietnam and then transferred to Germany.

Upon his return, he worked various jobs until finally settling in as a carpenter and owned and operated The Knotty Woodworker.  Dave could take a piece of wood and create whatever you were looking for.

He was a proud member of John Hancock Lodge, AF & AM of Methuen where he served as Master. Dave had many loves. His greatest love was animals. He was like Dr. Doolittle; he just had a way with them. All of Dave’s animals were rescues through the years starting at an early age Dave rescued many animals.

Dave and his dog Troubles volunteered at Northeast Rehab. He loved to see people react with Troubles. After Troubles passed, he started the same thing with Rusty. He would take Rusty to Methuen Village and Rusty would seek out people that needed him. He even got on the elevator by himself and went visiting.

Dave was the type of person who would do anything for you. He loved horseback riding. He had many horses through the years. He loved being outdoors. On Friday at the hospice house we took him outdoors for fresh air and to hear the birds and the sounds of nature. He was a gentle soul who will be missed by all who knew him. He was a loving friend, brother, uncle.

His family members include his sister, Sandra Young and her husband Michael of Methuen; Gregory Bowden of Newburyport, Cheryl Carreira and her husband, Fred of Southwick, MA and his dearest and best friend and side kick, Linda Bowden. He also leaves behind 3 nieces; Dawn Marie, Heather and Nicole; 1 great nephew, Collin and 1 great niece, Bryanna, an aunt and several cousins.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to visiting hours on Wednesday May 24, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. Funeral services will follow the visiting hours at 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to 4-H Club, 113 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833, Joe Drake 4-H Program Coordinator; joseph.drake@unh.edu.  To leave an online condolence, please visit www.dewhirstfuneral.com. 

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