Roderick (Rod) D. Bowles

 Roderick D. Bowles (Rod), died suddenly on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, SC following a brief illness. He was 76 years old. Rod was born in Wolfeboro, NH to the late Madeleine (Brookes) and Dr. F. Douglas Bowles.

Rod was a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran, serving in the Vietnam war. He was awarded degrees from the University of New Hampshire and Suffolk University. During his career, he was always drawn to manufacturing companies and ended his career as a Finance & Accounting Manager for a company that made ground-penetrating radar. He was fascinated by technology! Rod began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings over 50 years ago, helping countless individuals along the road to sobriety.

Prior to moving to Surfside Beach, SC in 2020, Rod resided in Newmarket, NH for over 30 years. He was active in the Newmarket Community Church, the Newfields Community Church, the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Triangle Club, the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), Newmarket Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, Newmarket town government, prison ministry, NH campus ministries, youth basketball, and youth soccer. He served on volunteer boards and committees for many of these groups. He was awarded a Spirit of New Hampshire Award for his volunteer work with Waysmeet. After moving to Surfside Beach, he became a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Surfside Beach, SC where he served on the Building & Grounds committee. Rod was recently awarded a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service.

Rod leaves his wife of over 26 years, Mary Terwiske, and children Abigail Horsfall and Michael Bowles. Abigail and her husband, Tim, of Bellevue, WA gifted Rod with grandchildren, Lillian and Lukas. Michael and his wife, Katie Weiss, reside in Granby, CO with their daughter, Olivia, Rod’s newest grandchild. Rod was the older brother to Todd Bowles of California, sister Kris Palmatier (and her husband, Wayne) of Schoharie, NY, and the late Jodd Bowles (and his late wife, Arlene Bowles) of Auburn, ME. He leaves brothers-in-law, John Terwiske, and Cletus Terwiske (and his wife, Karen). In addition, Rod leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and acquaintances whose lives he touched in ways small and large.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you go out and spread love and light and kindness into the world as Rod did. Try to make it a better place. If you’re so inclined, please make a donation in his memory to any of the churches and organizations that Rod held so dear. May he rest in eternal peace.

Memorial services to celebrate Rod’s life will be held at a later date.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.