On the morning of August 7th, our family’s world changed forever. We lost our father, Albert E. Cowden — a man whose life was defined by service, love, and generosity. He was a devoted husband of 53 years, a proud father and grandfather, a 26-year Coast Guard veteran, and a foster parent to hundreds of children. To know him was to know kindness, dedication, and a heart that never stopped giving.

What Happened:

Around 3 a.m., my mom woke from a nap and noticed my dad was still in his office with the light on. It wasn’t unusual for him to be up late, but when she went to check on him, she found him unresponsive. Paramedics arrived quickly and performed life-saving measures, but it was too late.

My dad had a long history of heart disease and underwent triple bypass surgery years ago. After a car accident in December, his health began to decline — he began experiencing panic attacks, which placed more strain on his heart. In May and June, doctors found new blockages and placed stents, and in recent weeks he seemed to be improving. His sudden passing was something none of us were prepared for.

His Life & Legacy:

Albert was a proud father of five children and grandfather to ten. He was married to our mom, Marlene, for 53 wonderful years, and his love for family was at the center of everything he did.

He served 26 years in the United States Coast Guard, retiring as a Chief Boatswain's Mate (E7). His career took him around the world on search and rescue missions - from Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, to Marcus Island, Korea, and Hawaii (where President George H. W. Bush once famously swam out to his boat during an early morning swim).

During his Coast Guard career, he also trained new recruits — “pushing boots” — first in Alameda, California, where he trained male recruits until that base closed, and then in Cape May, New Jersey, where he trained both male and female recruits during the first time mixed-gender recruit training was introduced in the Coast Guard.

After retiring in the late ’90s, my parents adopted my sister Katelynn and me (Tristen), and continued to open their hearts and home to children in need. Over the next 18 years, they fostered more than 300 children, giving each one love, stability, and a safe place to grow.

Even outside the home, my dad was dedicated to helping others. While fostering, he volunteered as a counselor for the Royal Family Kids Camps for foster children, and for over 20 years, he worked with the Scotty Foundation to bring Christmas gifts to foster kids in need — something I was lucky to help with when I was younger, along with the Sharing Tree program. He also taught and certified other foster parents for many years, helping guide them through the challenges and rewards of fostering.

My dad was my hero and my biggest supporter — and also my #1 “tech support” customer. He’d call me to help log in to his streaming services or to confirm if an email was a scam (spoiler: it usually was). Those little moments are ones I’ll carry with me forever.

Why We’re Asking for Help:

We want to honor him with a memorial service worthy of his life and legacy, and later, a trip to the Florence Coast Guard Base to spread his ashes — a place that held deep meaning for him. While the VA will cover cremation costs, the memorial service and travel are not covered, and my mom is facing daily expenses until VA reimbursement and life insurance are processed.

We are hoping to raise $5,000 to cover:

• Memorial service arrangements (venue, flowers, food, programs)

• Travel to Florence Coast Guard Base for the ash scattering

• Temporary help with bills and expenses for my mom during this transition

Any contribution, no matter the size, will help us give my dad the farewell he deserves and provide my mom with breathing room in this difficult time. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page to help us reach others who knew and loved him.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.