Alan "Al" Bruce Bowden, age 70, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born on October 9, 1954, to Ralph (Herb) and Esther (Anderson) Bowden in Wheaton, IL.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 1-3 PM, with a prayer service starting at 3 PM at Miller Funeral Home Westside Chapel, 6200 W. 41st St. Funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, 1 PM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 5500 E. 57th St. Private Interment is Monday, March 31, 2025, at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Al was born and raised in Wheaton, IL with his brothers Bob, Ron, and Doug. His parents moved their business, Sencore, to the Sioux Falls area when he and his brothers were in high school. He graduated from Lincoln High School, where he was proud of his record in the 200-meter track event, which was the last 200-meter race Lincoln High School would ever hold in track and field.

After high school, he attended the University of South Dakota, where he earned his bachelor's degree in business. He started dating Terri Taylor, a Rapid City family friend from his earlier years. Al and Terri were married on October 7, 1978, in Sioux Falls. They were blessed with three children: Tyler, Alana, and Holly.

Al took over his father's business with his brother, Doug, and became the president and CEO of Sencore. With the new ownership, Al, Doug, and their team grew and amplified Sencore with a transition from analog to digital television, building a team that designed and manufactured products that shattered goals and changed the electronics industry.

They sold the company after great success in 2008. After retirement, Al carried the torch for his parents' passion for philanthropic endeavors. One highlight was his contribution to the recent renovation of the women's softball field at Augustana University, dubbed Bowden Field. This particular project was a continuation of Herb and Esther's legacy. He was passionate about other nonprofits and city investments, such as the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, the Arc of Dreams, Cherapa Place, and United Way. Sioux Falls' future was always front of mind.

Along with being a genuine, giving soul, family was everything to Al; he went above and beyond to create memorable trips that brought his family together, and traditions and memories meant the world to him. He always created special moments for everyone he met and made everyone feel special.

If you knew Al, you knew he was a huge Cubs fan. He continued to buy season tickets for decades, even during tough times at Wrigley Field. Finally, after many years as a season pass holder, he celebrated as the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 with his family in tow. If he was still around today, he would still be talking about it.

Al was known for his kind heart, fancy scarves, eclectic shirts, various scents of cologne, and his signature fedora hat. He was a clever guy who loved to make people laugh and had a knack for lighting up the room with his witty jokes and good sense of humor (even at events when he was supposed to be quiet). Music shaped his life, and he loved sharing his favorites with his family - taking everyone on tour to see his favorite, Paul McCartney. His children always knew he had a good day when he came home from work and played the piano. It wasn't uncommon to hear him belting The Beatles, Jackson Browne, and Elton John. "Big Al's" legacy will live on, and he will be dearly missed by all.

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Terri; children, Tyler (Jess) Bowden, Alana (John) Snyder, and Holly (Joey) Thies; brothers, Bob Bowden, Ron Bowden, and Douglas (Mary) Bowden; grandchildren, Milo Alan Bowden and Owen Arthur Eugene Snyder; and many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.