A dental practice in North Carolina confirmed the death of one of its dentist owners and his wife in a fatal plane crash in the state on March 14, according to a post published on March 16 by the practice.
Dr. Mark Bowman of Drs. Bowman, Padgett & Associates in Greenville, NC, and his wife Robin died in a plane crash, according to a Facebook post by the practice.
"He was an inspiration to many that came after him in the dental field and his passion radiated through the lives of all around him," according to the post. "It was a true privilege to be a witness to the legacy he has left behind. Dr. Bowman will forever be in our hearts as we strive to make him proud in all that we do."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane was owned by Bowman and that the dentist and his wife were the only ones on the plane. Furthermore, the FAA stated the cause of the fatal crash was unknown, according to local news reports.
Bowman earned his dental degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986 and practiced dentistry in the eastern region of the state for more than 33 years. He was a member of the ADA, the Academy of General Dentistry, the North Carolina Dental Society, the Fifth District Dental Society, and the Flying Dentist Association, according to the practice's website.
Aside from dentistry, Bowman enjoyed boating, fishing, and beach activities. Also, he was "a skilled pilot and loves to soar through the clouds," according to the website.
Many individuals, like Laura Fulk McClung, remembered the couple fondly.
"Our hearts are broken," McClung wrote in response to the Facebook post. "When we moved to Greenville and didn't know anyone, we hit the jackpot with Mark and Robin as our next-door neighbors for almost 10 years. What a tremendous impact they had on our lives and they will be missed."
Katrina Outlaw wrote in response to the post, saying that Bowman would be remembered for his integrity, compassion, and kindness.
"He had a way of making everyone feel important and cared for, not just as patients or coworkers, but as people," Outlaw wrote. "His loss, along with Robin's, is heartbreaking beyond words. Their love, generosity, and kindness touched so many lives, and their legacy will continue to shine through all of us who were lucky enough to know them. They will be deeply missed but never forgotten."
