Malcolm Garry Bowen

Malcolm Garry Bowen, MD, 73 of Decatur, GA, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at his home with his wife and daughter by his side. Born on March 27, 1939 in Pontypool, Wales, he was the son of the late Alexander Henry and Irene Lavender Bowen. Malcolm completed his medical training at the University of Birmingham in England in 1963. He practiced in the UK for several years before moving to the US where he completed his psychiatric residency in 1968 at Yale University. At the height of the Vietnam War, he joined the US Army and was soon promoted to Major in the Medical Corps. He became Chief of Psychiatry at the US Medical Center in Okinawa. Prior to his discharge in 1971, he coordinated the services of the Psychiatric Unit and served as Consultant to the US Army First Special Forces Unit. He earned numerous military distinctions including the Army Commendation Medal for Exceptional Meritorious Service. Following his Honorable Discharge, Malcolm returned to Connecticut to begin his civilian psychiatric practice in both a hospital unit and in private practice. In 1977 Malcolm moved to Georgia to serve as the Medical Director of the Gwinnett Rockdale Newton Mental Health Center. In 1979 he joined the staff of the Atlanta Veteran's Administration Hospital where he remained until 1987. He left the VA to become the Medical Director, MHMRSA, of the DeKalb County Board of Health and stayed in this position as it transformed into the DeKalb Community Service Board. During these years he met his future wife, Dr. Susan Morris. He served as Medical Director at the DCSB until 2004 and then semi-retired into part-time service with the DCSB. Malcolm earned the respect and admiration of people who knew him professionally, but few people knew the depth of his accomplishments or the depth of his commitment to public service. He earned professional distinctions including Fellowship of the APA and Examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He committed his life's work to public service and prided himself on making life better for others. He will always be admired for his resilience, dedication, and commitment to his work and his patients. He will also be fondly remembered for his extraordinary intellect, witty sense of humor, and love of life. Malcolm enjoyed a good laugh, a good party, and a good story. A man of many passions, he enjoyed extensive reading, watching American football, pursuing physical fitness, and traveling. Some of his favorite trips included those to Papua New Guinea, China, Australia, the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, and the Panama Canal. Malcolm is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter and son-in-law Alexandra and Carey Cox; close cousins Anne and Mark Honour, David Lavender, Bill and Cheryl Bowen, and Janet Cadman (all in the UK); brother-in-law and wife Harold Morris and Melinda Estes; sister-in-law and husband Elizabeth and Clifford Katz; sister-in-law Anne Morris; and numerous nieces and nephews. Malcolm will be laid to rest at Georgia National Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Petite Auberge at Toco Hill Shopping Center, 2935 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, GA 30329. His family expresses special appreciation to Katherine Lohmuller, RN, and to Dr. James Spivey at the Emory Transplant Center for their wonderful care, support, and enjoyment of Malcolm during the past four and a half years. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Malcolm's name to the Emory Healthcare Liver Transplant Program or the Galapagos Conservancy (online at www.galapagos.org or Galapagos Conservancy Gift Processing, 11150 Fairfax Boulevard, Suite 408 Fairfax, VA 22030, USA).

Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033