Wayne C. Cowden

Wayne Cowden, a Lab retiree, died Jan. 10. He was 78.

Born and raised in Colorado, he graduated from Mesa College and Colorado State College of Education. While in school, he participated in track and field and basketball.

He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and then returned to Colorado after his discharge to teach.

Cowden and his family moved to Pleasanton in 1958 where he began a career at General Electric Vallecitos in the metallurgy group. He spent the next 22 years at LLNL in materials fabrication, retiring in 1993.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donalyn; three children: Martha Brown, Craig Cowden and Paul Cowden; 11 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

His interests included skin diving, scuba diving, traveling the world, attending the Olympics in Mexico City in 1968, relaxing in Maui and following the pursuits of his grandchildren.

Since retirement, he had been an active member of the Bay Area Woodturners Association. Recognized as a first class woodturner, he spent his retirement years learning and perfecting his skills. Over the years he created many beautiful wooden bowls, ornaments and other creative designs. He and his wife enjoyed attending national and international woodturning symposiums.

After family services, his ashes will be scattered in Maui. Donations in his memory may be sent to the Hospice of the East Bay, 3479 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.