Cowen headed the transit service, which operates TheBus, since January 1992. His last day at work before he became ill was July 1, said J. Roger Morton, senior vice president and director of operations.

Morton said Cowen will be missed by employees at all levels of O'ahu Transit Services.

"He was always very approachable as a chief executive officer," Morton said. "It didn't matter whether the employee was a bus washer or a bus driver or anyone. "

Executives, he said, were encouraged to make their own decisions.

"He told me from the start he'd give me wide berth," Morton said. "He'd allow me to make decisions even if they were the wrong decisions, as long as, in his opinion, they weren't so bad they'd harm the company.

"He inspired people. He became a mentor."

"It is a big loss," said Cheryl Soon, who was the city's director of transportation services in the Jeremy Harris administration and worked closely with Cowen for eight years.

"He was nothing but a total joy to work with," she said. "He had the respect of everyone who worked with him. When we'd travel to the professional association meetings on the Mainland, it was obvious how well known and well respected he was throughout the nation — by everyone in the profession."

Mayor Mufi Hannemann said Cowen was a true public servant.

"I credit Jim's leadership at TheBus as instrumental in helping Honolulu being twice named America's best transit system," he said.

Cowen was born in Dallas in July 1925. He served as an Army officer during World War II, then joined United Airlines and rose to head its operations in San Francisco.

He moved to Greyhound Bus Line in 1962 and served as head of operations in several western states. In 1970, Cowen started Korea Greyhound Ltd., a joint-venture bus company in South Korea, and served as its first CEO.

He returned to the United States in 1972 and headed the transit division of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, then in 1978 became general manager of the Tri-Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, more commonly known as Tri-Met.

During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of Portland's light-rail system, and Tri-Met was named America's best transit system.

He moved to Hawai'i in 1992, after retiring from Tri-Met.

Morton said Cowen was disappointed that Honolulu never adopted a light-rail system.

"He was in favor of rail," Morton said. "But when he came here as a tourist in the '70s he read about the rail debate, and then he saw it turned down in '92. He said he thought Honolulu lacked the political will. It was one of his disappointments."

Cowen was an active leader in the American Public Transportation Association Its president, William W. Millar, called him a giant in the industry.

"No other transit manager has ever received APTA's Outstanding System Award three times," he said.

In Hawai'i, Cowen served on the board of the Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts and on the advisory board of the Salvation Army's Hawai'i and Pacific Islands Division.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Cowen is survived by his brother, Charles, of Santa Rosa, Calif.