Dick was born on March 7, 1926 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of Dr. James E. Stowers and Laura Smith Stowers. He attended schools in Kansas City, Kemper Military School, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Missouri where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. Dick also did some post-graduate work at the University of Texas. With his Kemper Military School background, Dick proudly served in the United States Air Force and Reserve.
