Frank Winslow Bowen

Frank Winslow Bowen, of Drexel Hill, PA, age 81, son of Frank Winslow Bowen and Ruth Heinkel Bowen, died peacefully on July 17, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born in Philadelphia, PA and graduated from Nether Providence High School, Wallingford, PA. He received a BS in biology from Bucknell University and MD from Hahnemann Medical School, Philadelphia; he completed a pediatric residency at Letterman Hospital and neonatal fellowship at the DC National Children’s Hospital; and MMM at Tulane University. Practicing for more than 40 years, he was one of the first board-certified neonatologists in the United States.

Dr. Bowen, US Army Major, led Newborn Services at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. After military service, he was on faculty at The Ohio State University and Medical Director of Neonatology at Columbus Children’s Hospital. Subsequently, he served as Medical Director of Neonatology for more than twenty years at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia and on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania and Jefferson Medical College. He published many scientific articles and participated in organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Academic Society, the American Pediatric Society, the Academy of Physicians, and the National Perinatal Society, and served on boards including the March of Dimes and Hospice of the Low Country SC. Dr. Bowen had great passion, expertise and kindness as he cared for newborn infants, supported parents, mentored young physicians, excelled in teamwork, and spread love and generosity wherever he was. His book, Your Baby’s Beginning, published in 2019, continues to guide parents through their baby’s first week of life.

A twinkle in his eye and “old jokes and stories” were characteristic of Frank’s camaraderie with friends as he pursued his passion for golf, caring for orchids, the encouragement of others and living life fully. He was a lifelong member of Pine Valley Golf Club, and for years, an active member of Rolling Green Golf Club. He loved the game of golf and was still walking the course and shooting his age before passing into eternal life. He was an avid volunteer with Longwood Gardens’ orchid team and known to friends as the “orchid doctor.” His children and grandchildren were very dear to him; he had a particular way of loving each one. Frank had a deep and abiding faith and participated in leadership at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and formerly at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ardmore and The Church of the Cross and St. Luke’s Church in SC.

Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Dorothy (Dottie), children Frank Winslow Bowen III (Tory Myers), Anne Ruth Ford (Eric), Thomas Frederick Bowen (Margaret), Lucia Turner Cox (Jason) and Leslie McCue Turner; grandchildren Jack, Xander, Conor, Logan, Madeline, Emily, Liam, Jabe and Lyra; sister Virginia Schuster (Vic); and pre-deceased sister Nancy Rainey (Art); nephew Doug Rainey (Toshi) and niece Liz Sytsma (Chris) and grand nieces Lauren, Carolyn, Faye and Joni.

A service to celebrate Frank’s life will be held at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr, PA, August 23, at 11:00 A.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (BMPC.org), The Common Place (thecommonplacephilly.org), or any Historic Black College and University (HBCU).

Livestream: bmpc.org