Samuel "Sam" Richard Cowan

Samuel “Sam” Richard Cowan

A Talented Athlete -

Samuel “Sam” Richard Cowan, age 76, of Enola, and formerly of Mechanicsburg, passed peacefully at home on July 2, 2018 with his daughter, Jacquelyn, and granddaughter, Jennifer, by his side.  Sam was born on Saturday, May 2, 1942 in Huntingdon, PA to the late Samuel C. Cowan and Dorothy (Stinson) Cowan.

Sam’s survivors include daughter, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Suchy and her husband, Brian, of Enola; his three grandchildren; his five great-grandchildren; his three sisters: Linda Thorton, Joyce Marshall, Norma Jean Shoppel; and several nieces and nephews.

Sam graduated from Cumberland Valley High School as part of the class of 1960.  He served in the United States Marine Corps as a sharpshooter and marksman from 1960 until 1967.  Sam then worked for IBM in Mechanicsburg for 25 years as a manager until his retirement in 1992.  He retired to Wilmington, NC where he worked at Carolina Chemical, for 11 years, and later at Walmart, for 13 years.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 751 in Enola.

Sam was a talented athlete who played many sports.  As a teenager, his athleticism garnered him an invitation to a Major League Baseball training camp.   He was also a member of the United States Golf Association (USGA) with a 15 handicap, a career hole-in-one, and an invitation to play on the Pro-Am Tour.  Sam bowled regularly with leagues at Trindle Bowl in Mechanicsburg and reveled in having a perfect game recorded during his career.  Later in his life, Sam participated on a softball league.

Sam’s family will be remembering his life privately.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Sam’s life can be made to Celtic Hospice & Home Health, 900 Century Drive, Suite 201, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, www.Cancer.org/Involved/Donate.html.

Sam’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Sam’s full obituary, view his memorial video and picture, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.