To the Editor:

I would like to bring to your attention, and to the attention of your readers, a great loss that was suffered by our community, particularly Washington’s Historic District and the Washington Area Historic Foundation.

Over the past several months, two dedicated preservationists have died. Mrs. Carol Bowen died Sept. 4, 2013, and was the much-loved wife of Mr. Charles “Fluffy” Bowen. Mr. Dallas Congleton died Nov. 10, 2013, as was the much-loved husband of Mrs. Dee Congleton. Both were survived by heart-broken families and friends too numerous to mention.

Mrs. Bowen and Mr. Congleton spent their lives as tireless public servants who dedicated their lives to helping their communities. Through the relentless efforts many historic structures, objects and landscapes have been protected and preserved for all of us and our descendants to enjoy.

Mrs. Bowen and Mr. Congleton were vocal advocates for historic preservation. Through their efforts our Historic (District) guidelines have been strengthened and a wider range of tools have been provided to our elected officials and city planners to ensure our historic structures and landscapes remain protected.

We, as a tight-knit community, have lost much in their passing, but I can say as a citizen, past chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission and long-term president of the Washington Area Historic Foundation, that they left a better community than they found.

Each will be missed. I give thanks for their lives and service.

In thanksgiving, I remain

Donald R. Stroud Jr., president

Washington Area Historic Foundation