Richard T. "Dick" McGowan

Richard T. “Dick” McGowan, 96, of Steubenville, Ohio passed away on November, 13, 2021 at his residence. He was born on March 29, 1925, the son of the late Malcolm E. and Elizabeth Travis McGowan. A WWll veteran, Dick enlisted in the army and served with the 89th Infantry Division of Patton's 3rd Army, where he was awarded the Purple Heart.  He was with the first American Unit to liberate a Nazi concentration camp, Ohrdruf. After the war, the first thing he saw on his 21st birthday was the Statue of Liberty from the deck of his returning troop ship. Dick then entered The University of Michigan, graduating with a business degree and singing with the Men's Glee Club. Following college, Dick went to San Francisco with several army buddies and worked for C&H Sugar Refining for several years. He returned to Steubenville upon his father's illness and married his former schoolmate Nina Goehring McGowan. They spent 46 busy years together raising two children and enjoying music, theater and traveling. Dick's life was dedicated to his family, friends, and the Steubenville community. He spent 36 years with McGowan Insurance and then 10 years with McGowan Travel Service. Always involved in our area, he was past president of the Steubenville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Independent Insurance agents Assoc of Jefferson County, and the Steubenville-Wintersville Clean Community System, and served on the boards of the Steubenville YMCA, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the Union Cemetery, the Symposiarch social club, the Home Builders Association of the Upper Ohio Valley, and the Steubenville Community Concert Association. He also thoroughly enjoyed the area arts organizations performing many lead roles with the Steubenville Players, and singing with the Civic Choral Society since its inception.

Preceding Dick in death were his parents, wife Nina Goehring McGowan on May 19, 2003, his brother Robert (Charlene) McGowan, and his niece Carolyn Torres. Dick is survived by his children Richard M. (Wendy) McGowan and Eliza M. McGowan; two grandchildren Shelby McGowan and Travis McGowan, and three nieces and nephews Stephanie, Richard, and Robert (Susan) McGowan.

Dick was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church and then First Westminster Church after they merged. He enjoyed singing in both choirs.

Friends may visit at First Westminster Church, 235 North Fourth Street, Steubenville on Wednesday, November 24, from 12 noon until the service at 1pm with Rev Jason Elliott presiding.

Burial at Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Westminster Church of Steubenville, the Wounded Warrior Project, or the Jefferson County Humane Society.

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