Dennis Cowden

S. Dennis Cowden, 83, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away on August 12, 2024, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He was born on September 11, 1940, in Beaumont, California, to Robert Wendle Cowden and Helen Faye Cowden (née Denier).

Dennis grew up in San Bernardino, California. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Kentucky where he graduated from high school in Louisville. He pursued higher education studying Architecture at California State Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo and Urban Planning at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

Dennis met his wife, Margaret (Peggy) Cowden (née Flores), in 1960 and they were married six weeks later. Their union produced two loving daughters and lasted for over 63 years.

Dennis began his professional career as the Architect and City Planner for the City of Colton, California, from 1961 to 1965. He then embarked on a long and distinguished career in engineering, starting with C.F. Braun & Co., Engineer Constructors, in Alhambra, CA, where he worked from December 1965 to February 1985. During his time at C.F. Braun, Dennis rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Principal Engineer in Project Management. His diverse assignments included work on ethylene plants, nuclear reactor designs, shale oil refineries, and petrochemical facilities across North America.

In February 1985, Dennis joined Zond Systems, Inc. (later Enron Wind) in Tehachapi, CA, marking the beginning of his impactful career in the wind energy industry. He initially served as Engineering Manager, responsible for electrical design criteria for wind energy generation projects. In January 1991, he was promoted to High Voltage Manager, a position he held until his retirement in October 2002. In this role, Dennis directed the daily electrical operations of eight wind energy generation facilities, managed sixteen substations, and oversaw complex electrical systems. He developed comprehensive preventive maintenance programs, implemented safety protocols, and established high voltage training programs for non-electrical personnel.

Throughout his career, Dennis demonstrated expertise in various aspects of electrical engineering, from design and construction to operation and safety. His professional accomplishments included becoming a Registered Professional Engineer in Control Systems in California.

Dennis' move to Tehachapi in the 1980s not only advanced his career but also rekindled his lifelong passion for photography. This hobby began at a very young age when he received his first camera, a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye, and he won his first photo award at the age of 12. The advent of digital cameras, coinciding with his work in the wind industry, allowed Dennis to fully pursue landscape photography, capturing incredible vistas in the Southern Sierras that were previously inaccessible to the public.

After retiring in 2003, Dennis and Peggy embarked on numerous road trips, driving most of the highways (excluding Interstates) in the western states to photograph the region's natural wonders. In his later years, he focused on capturing the beauty of Kern County, including the scenic landscapes of the southern Sierras, the Mojave Desert, and the Tehachapi Mountains. He also developed a keen interest in wildlife photography, inspired by the abundance of animals near his home.

Dennis' photographic work gained recognition and awards. His photos were exhibited and sold through a gallery in Tehachapi. In 2018, Dennis and Peggy relocated to Hayden, Idaho where he honed his skills of photographing eagles during their annual migration to Lake Coeur d’Alene. 

Beyond photography, he had a passion for baking cookies, which led him to write a cookie column for The Loop newspaper in Tehachapi and author "The Engineer's Guide to Cookies" recipe book.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife, Peggy Cowden of Hayden, ID; daughters Stephanie and her husband Brian Smith of Hayden, ID, and Shannon and her husband Rob Hill of Reno, NV; brothers Robert Jr. and wife Anne of Hailey, ID, and Kenneth and wife Patricia of San Bernardino, CA; sister Judy and husband Gene Bohatch of Cameron Park, CA; grandchildren Brittany, Shane, Vanessa, Whitney, Trevor, and James; and great-grandchildren Adeline, Maximus, Noah, and Nova; as well as numerous extended family.

Dennis will be remembered for his significant contributions to the engineering field, particularly in wind energy, his artistic talents in photography, and the love he shared with his family. His legacy lives on through his loved ones, his photographs capturing the beauty of the American West, and the many lives he touched throughout his 83 years.

Graveside service will be held Wednesday, August 21 at 1pm at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.