John Bowen obituary: Heart transplant survivor fulfilled his soccer dream

John Bowen was a long-term heart transplant survivor, enjoying a full life for almost 30 years after his 1994 transplant.

Born to Arthur and Gwen Bowen, 10-pound Poms who arrived in Adelaide in 1949, John left school and began work with the Bank of New South Wales in Adelaide. After a country posting to Mt Gambier, he was transferred by the bank to Darwin in 1974. Around the same time Peta Corish was also transferred by the same bank to Darwin from her home in Perth. John and Peta met, and they were blown away, initially by each other, then by cyclone Tracy in the early hours of Christmas Day 1974.

They decided that was quite enough of Darwin thanks very much, so they hotfooted it to Perth, where they were married in January 1975. Stints with the bank followed in Perth, then country postings to Manjimup, Albany and Bruce Rock, in the course of which came three children — Gemma, James and Carly.

After his family, John’s three passions in life were Manchester United Football Club, Jaguar cars (he served as president of the Jaguar Car Club of Western Australia) and Ford cars. He was a lifelong Man U fan, with the Red Devils being his overriding love.

He was a pretty good amateur soccer player back in the day and was a very fit bloke up until his late 30s, when, in 1992, he contracted cardiomyopathy. His heart degenerated extremely rapidly and a heart transplant was necessary.

At the time, heart transplants could not be done in Perth, so he had to relocate the family to Melbourne.

He was working at the time for Challenge Bank. It was a wonderful employer and organised a big fundraiser and going-away function for him. During the course of this, he was told to take a phone call and warned that it was not a joke.

The bank had organised with Manchester United for the legendary Bobby (later Sir Bobby) Charlton to call and speak personally to John, wishing him all the best.

The bank had organised with Manchester United for the legendary Bobby (later Sir Bobby) Charlton to call and speak personally to John, wishing him all the best. When John realised it was not a joke, and he was indeed talking one-on-one with the great man, tears streamed down his face.

He was sent a letter from the club, signed by then manager Sir Alex Ferguson, wishing him all the best. This was promptly framed and hangs to this day in pride of place on the wall in John’s study. In Melbourne, after a long time on the waiting list, John had his heart transplant on February 18, 1994. It was a success, and he lived pretty well happily ever after. He had, of course, to take a suitcase of anti-rejection medication every day for the rest of his life. He looked after himself with great discipline and stayed fit.

He and Peta travelled to Europe some years ago where John realised a dream by attending a game at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.

Sadly, John became ill and was diagnosed with cancer in January 2024, shortly before his family and friends joined him to celebrate the 30th anniversary of receiving his new heart.

Despite intensive radiotherapy, the cancer spread rapidly through his body. His condition deteriorated quickly and he was admitted to St John of God Murdoch Hospital. Within a matter of days he was transferred to its hospice, where he spent only one day before passing away peacefully on the morning of May 15, 2024.

A memorial service and celebration of John’s life was held in Perth on May 26. Many were kitted out in Man U red for the occasion and were 100 per cent sure John was with the club in spirit at Wembley the evening before (Perth time) to get his beloved team over the line against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

An abbreviated biography along with a photograph of John has been sent to Manchester United FC at their request, as the club wishes to include it in a future edition of its match program as a tribute to “such a great fan of the club”.

Another memento of John’s legacy will be his autobiography — Two Hearts, One Life — which he completed very late in the piece at the request of his children.

John is survived by wife Peta, children Gemma, James and Carly, five grandchildren, siblings Richard, Peter and Irene (Adelaide), Roger (Perth) and, most wonderfully, his mum Gwen, who still lives independently in her own home in Adelaide at age 97.

Peta and her family will be forever grateful to the doctors, nurses and others who make up the team at Fiona Stanley Hospital Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Service, for the years of wonderful care and support to John and the family.

John Howard Bowen

Banker, finance manager, businessman

Born: Adelaide, 1953

Died: Perth, aged 71