David Allan Owen

Dr. David Allan Owen of Hendersonville, NC passed away peacefully at his home with family on July 3, 2021. He was born on March 19, 1943 in Coronado, CA and is preceded in death by his parents Mary Stookey Owen and Robert Dale Owen of Decatur, Illinois.

David is survived by his wife of 44 years AnnEtte Donie Owen, his siblings Ann Pearl Owen of Seattle, WA, Daniel Peter Owen of Tbilisi, Georgia, and Robert Marshall Owen of Decatur, IL, his children Julie Owen Hanft (Josh) of Mill Valley, CA, Steven Dennis Owen (Veronica) of Pembroke Pines, FL, Jeffery Eric Owen (Ashley) of Spartanburg, SC, and Christopher Andrew Owen of San Francisco, CA, and his grandchildren Elijah Philip Hanft, Rachel Nora Owen, Lauren Ann Owen, William Robert Owen, and Elizabeth Blake Owen.

A recipient of a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of California Riverside, David published over 35 technical research papers and was a peer reviewer and member of the National Science Foundation. Notably, his research on the chemical process and heating occurrences for the space shuttle orbiter tiles resulted in a NASA achievement award in 1983. His career included 31 years as a professor of chemistry at Murray State University before retiring to Hendersonville with his beloved wife to their mountain home.

David was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother who enjoyed spending time with family. An avid hiker, whitewater rafter, canoeist, rockhounder, wordsmith, cartographer, and gardener, he also enjoyed driving the blue ridge parkway with his wife. A reverent man, he was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville and Blue Ridge Emmaus, David enjoyed participating and leading Sunday School classes as well as ushering attendees for Sunday services. He will be deeply missed by family and friends who knew him.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville at 2:00 pm on Friday, July 9 with Reverend Alex Knight officiating. Memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Emmaus at PO Box 1043, Horseshoe, NC 28742 or First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville at 204 6th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739.