Father of Patrick and Joel has passed away after a long battle with MND

Richmond is mourning the death of 1969 premiership player Michael Bowden after he lost his battle with motor neurone disease.

Bowden played 59 senior games for the Tigers between 1967 and 1971.

Bowden devoted his life to improving conditions for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in the Northern Territory.

He is survived by wife Judy, daughter Majella, and sons Sean, Rhett, Kane, Joel, Patrick and Charlie, who were raised in Alice Springs before reuniting in Darwin in recent years.