ARLINGTON — A memorial service has been announced for Matt Bowen, who died April 2 in a fiery explosion at the Tesoro oil refinery in Anacortes.
Services are set for 2 p.m. Saturday in the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., according to an obituary that appeared in the Thursday edition of The Herald.
A sudden release of hydrocarbon ignited quickly and caused the explosion, a spokesman for the U.S. Chemical Safety Board said earlier this week. Three people died at the refinery and two others have died since the accident. Two men are recovering from their injuries.
Bowen, 31, of Arlington, was an operator and supervisor at the refinery. He graduated from Marysville-Pilchuck High School in 1996.
He is survived by his wife, Rachel, their daughter, Makaylyn, 6, and son, Landon, 3, and many other friends and relatives, including his mother, Cathy, and father, Dale Bowen.
His family was the most important part of his life, the obituary said.
“There are no words to describe how incredible and honorable he was. Everything Matt put his hand to, he put his heart in as well. He will be missed 137 million percent,” the announcement said.
A benevolent fund for Bowen’s family has been established at the Bank of America.
In addition, a service for the public in memory of all the victims of the explosion is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 25 at Brodniak Hall, Anacortes High School, 1600 20th St., Anacortes. The United Steelworkers Local 12-591 in Anacortes has organized the service. The union has set up a “Tesoro Incident Family Fund” to help the families involved. Contributions can be sent to Tesoro Northwest Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 248, Anacortes, WA 98221-0248.
Tesoro also has established a survivors’ fund. Donations from the public will be split among the seven victims or their families. Contributions can be mailed to Tesoro Anacortes Refinery Survivors Fund, Skagit Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1763, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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