Obituary

KENT BOWERS passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2019, in Edmonton with his loving daughter Lyndsay by his side, at the age of 69. Kent leaves behind his only child, daughter Lyndsay Kate Bowers Arsenault (Leigh), grandson Evan Taylor Arsenault, former wife Sydney Gail Bowers and brother Gerald Bowers, along with many other loving family and friends. He was predeceased by his father Don Bowers, mother Mary Blumsom (Bowers) and stepfather Harry Blumsom, as well as his life-long best friend, Norm Taylor. As a young man Kent played baseball, was a distance runner, and played hockey. Kent was a hard-working man whose tenacity and drive earned him a successful and rewarding career in the television broadcasting industry. Kent graduated from the Radio and Television Broadcasting program at Mount Royal College in Calgary, AB. After graduation he began his career with CFCN (under CTV Network) as a Film Editor. He then moved to Edmonton in 1974, to help launch Edmonton’s ITV news channel. He was a member of ITV’s Ace Downhill Ski Team and enjoyed working alongside members of the cast of SCTV. He worked for ITV television as a Film Editor and On-Air Co-ordinator for 10 years. He was a key contributor to the launch of Viewer’s Choice – Canada’s first Pay-Per-View Television Network in 1991. He held roles with SuperChannel and other divisions of Allarcom Pay Television, Western International Communications, and CORUS Entertainment. At the culmination of his career he was the Director of Programming for Movie Central under CORUS Entertainment. He travelled extensively before settling in Edmonton, visiting countries around the world including England, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Turkey and others, his favorite being Greece. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed fishing and camping but mostly hunting, and spent many seasons with close friends hunting in the mountains of Alberta and BC. He spent most summers with his family in BC’s Kootenay National Park where he enjoyed lake life, water skiing and boating. He was an excellent downhill skier. He also loved dirt bikes and had a motorcycle as well. He had a horse named Tequila and many dogs. In his retirement Kent loved to read books, watch football and also took up knife-making. Kent would forge a steel blade and wooden handle entirely from scratch. He obtained his amateur HAM Radio license and proudly used his call sign as his Jeep’s license plate number. Kent will always be remembered as loyal and kind to everyone who was blessed to be his friend. His daughter especially will always cherish memories of her beloved father, the light of her life. According to Kent’s wishes there will be no memorial service. His daughter thanks the staff of the Grey Nun’s Hospital ICU Unit 24, the doctors and nurses who provided impeccable and dignified care, allowing him to pass on peacefully. Memorial donations may be made in Kent’s name to the Grey Nuns Hospital Intensive Care Unit 24, in support of services and resources for patient’s families and staff, or the greatest area of unmet need. Donations can be made at covenantfoundation.ca/donate.

Published in the Edmonton Journal on March 18, 2019